The coroner investigating the dying of Nottingham Panthers participant Adam Johnson has advised UK Ice Hockey’s governing physique that she is “sufficiently involved that there could also be future deaths” if neck protectors are usually not worn.
Sheffield’s chief coroner, Tanika Rawdin, opened the investigation into Johnson’s dying on Friday following the tragic incident on the metropolis’s Utilita Stadium on October 28, when he was struck within the neck by the skate of a member of the rival Sheffield Steelers group.
Throughout the four-minute listening to, there was no point out of the coroner issuing a report to forestall future deaths following the dying. However particulars of the report have now been printed.
The report, addressed to the UK Ice Hockey Affiliation and the English Ice Hockey Affiliation, mentioned: “Throughout the course of the investigation, my inquiries have revealed issues of concern. For my part, there’s a danger of future deaths except the required motion is taken. In these circumstances, it’s my responsibility It’s authorized to tell you.
Rawdin summarized the “problems with concern” as follows: “The Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation recommends sporting neck protectors or guards, however there isn’t any requirement for ice hockey gamers over the age of 18 to put on gear designed to guard the neck.
“In the end, the inquest will think about whether or not the usage of a neck guard or neck protector might have prevented Mr Johnson’s dying. Nevertheless, at this stage of my investigation, I’m sufficiently involved that future deaths might have occurred if neck protectors or Condoms.
The dying of the 29-year-old American participant shocked the ice hockey world, particularly because the accident occurred in entrance of 8,000 followers, together with many youngsters. The Panthers and the Steelers are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League, a 10-team group that features groups from throughout the UK. It’s the prime stage of ice hockey in the UK.
Based on the PFD report: “Throughout the recreation, Mr Johnson sustained a lower wound to the neck attributable to one other participant’s skate. He was taken by ambulance to the Northern Normal Hospital in Sheffield the place he succumbed to his damage.
The report requires the governing physique to reply inside 56 days and provides: “Your response should include particulars of the motion taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for motion. In any other case, you should clarify why no motion is proposed.”
For the coroner to subject a PFD so early within the investigation is a extremely uncommon transfer. These studies are often launched after the total investigation is accomplished and Rawdin defined on Friday that such a listening to wouldn’t be held for a number of months. South Yorkshire Police are additionally persevering with to analyze the incident.
The Elite Ice Hockey League mentioned it might not make the usage of neck protectors necessary however would “strongly encourage” gamers and officers to put on them after the tragedy.
The EIHA mentioned final week that neck protectors would develop into necessary from 2024, however the Elite League just isn’t underneath its management.
On Saturday, ice hockey followers paid tribute to Johnson at Motorpoint Area in Nottingham, with many followers crying as they signed books of condolence. They handed by an image of Johnson and a T-shirt bearing his identify and group quantity, 47, after they arrived on the ice – which was carpeted – to pay their respects to the American.
The governing physique of UK Ice Hockey has been contacted for remark.