Man arrested over death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has bail extended

Mr. Johnson was fatally injured during a Challenge Cup match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in October 2023

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 14th May 2024
Last updated 14th May 2024

A man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson in Sheffield has had his bail extended.

Mr. Johnson, 29, was fatally injured during a Challenge Cup match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers on 28 October 2023.

The man was arrested just over two weeks later, on 14 November, had has had his bail extended until 26 June 2024.

In a fresh statement, South Yorkshire Police said: "Adam's loved ones remain at the forefront of our minds as this complex investigation continues."

Mr Johnson's death shocked the ice hockey world, especially as the incident was witnessed by thousands of fans at the arena in Sheffield.

In January Sheffield's senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation while the police inquiry took its course.

It emerged later that Ms Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.

In the report, the coroner said she is "sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn", with the bodies given 56 days to say what action has been taken - or why action has not been taken.

Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 1.

This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision in December to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions.

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