Paramedics responding to ice hockey star Adam Johnson's fatal neck injury were forced to climb over barriers to tend to him in scenes described as 'chaotic', an inquest has heard. Nottingham Panthers forward Mr Johnson, 29, had his throat cut in a collision during an Elite Ice Hockey League Challenge Cup match in Sheffield on October 28, 2023. The American was rushed to hospital by paramedics where he was sadly pronounced dead.
Chaotic Scene at Sheffield Arena
At a pre-inquest review in Sheffield on Monday, senior coroner Tanyka Rawden said statements from Yorkshire Ambulance paramedics suggested 'they came across quite a chaotic scene' while responding to the sportsman's injuries. Mrs Rawden said one paramedic claimed they had to climb over barriers at the Sheffield Arena to reach Mr Johnson 'because nobody could show them onto the ice'. The coroner told the hearing that she had 'a lot of questions about how Yorkshire Ambulance Service assessed the ice' on the night of Mr Johnson's death. Mrs Rawden said she also had questions about the availability of blood to paramedics attending the incident.
Family Present at Hearing
Mr Johnson's mother, Sue, and his girlfriend, Ryan Wolfe, were among family members who joined the hearing on a video link from the United States. The coroner told his family: 'I'm sorry that we are meeting in these circumstances. I cannot imagine what life has been like for all of you since Adam died.' She later added: 'It must have been horrific for all of you.'
Details of the Incident
Mr Johnson's fatal injury occurred after Sheffield Steelers defenceman Matt Petgrave's skate sliced his neck. Petgrave, from Canada, was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided last year he would not face charges. Mr Petgrave's barrister, Michael Hayton KC, told the hearing on Monday that the hockey player is currently in Canada. The coroner said she is planning to call Mr Petgrave and nine other players from the match to give evidence, but this is under review. She was told that none of these players are currently in the UK.
Inquest to Be Heard by Jury
Mrs Rawden decided that the inquest will be heard in front of a jury and said 'there is a lot of CCTV' in this case. 'Unfortunately – and I say that because it will be distressing for them – I think the jury is going to have to see some of the CCTV,' she added. But Mrs Rawden said that it is unlikely that the inquest into Mr Johnson's death will take place this year. She said she is aware there is pressure to hold it earlier but pointed out that her investigation had to be paused until the police inquiry was concluded last year.
Mrs Rawden said: 'I'm not going to rush this. I have to conduct a fair and fearless investigation even if it takes time. I understand how difficult this is for Adam's family. He died in October 2023 and we are now in April 2026. I cannot imagine what it's been like for them between these two dates.' She said the inquest is currently expected to take between four and six weeks.
Scope of the Inquest
The coroner added that she would decide at a later date whether the inquest needs to be moved from Sheffield and, also, whether the jury would benefit from a visit to the arena. Mrs Rawden decided that the scope of the inquest would focus on the cause of the injury, the medical provision at the arena, and the 'timeliness and appropriateness' of the medical care provided to Mr Johnson.
Background and Safety Measures
Mr Johnson's death occurred in front of 8,000 horrified spectators at the Sheffield Arena. Players formed a protective ring around the American as paramedics rushed to offer him support - but the star was pronounced dead at the city's Northern General Hospital. In January 2024 it emerged that Mrs 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 that report, the coroner said she was '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 had been taken – or why action had 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 2024. This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation's decision in December 2023 to mandate the use of neck laceration protectors for its competitions. A provisional date for another pre-inquest review was set for October 29.
