After ice hockey professional Adam Johnson’s fatal accident after a game in the British Cup, a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter on Tuesday (November 14th, 2023).
South Yorkshire Police did not provide any information about the man’s identity in a statement. This also left it unclear whether the person arrested was an opponent of Johnson.
Becs Horsfall, Chief Superintendent of South Yorkshire Police, asked the public to refrain from “comment and speculation” so as not to prejudice the investigation, the BBC said. The police are working with external specialists to investigate the death, it said.
Death of professional ice hockey player Johnson: investigation launched
“We began an investigation immediately following this tragedy and have since conducted extensive investigations to piece together the events that led to Adam’s death in these unprecedented circumstances,” said chief investigator Horsfall in the statement quoted by British media. “Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through people here in Sheffield but also across the hockey world.”
The 29-year-old Johnson, who was still active for the Augsburg Panthers in the previous season, was hit in the neck by one of his opponent’s runners during a collision with his Nottingham Panthers on October 28th and died as a result of the injuries.
His death sparked great sympathy and a security debate. Several professional leagues, including the DEL, have since made it mandatory to wear neck protection.