Adam Johnson, 29, died in hospital after he was struck in the neck by the skate of an opposing player during a match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers at Sheffield Arena in October 2023
Paramedics who attended the fatal neck injury of professional ice hockey player Adam Johnson during a league match described a “chaotic scene”, according to a coroner.
Mr Johnson was playing for Nottingham Panthers against Sheffield Steelers in an Elite League game when he was struck in the neck by Steelers player Matthew Petgrave’s skate. The 29-year-old American passed away in hospital following the incident at Sheffield Arena in October 2023.
At a pre-inquest review in Sheffield on Monday, the city’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, stated that she had reviewed statements from Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedics and added: “Their evidence suggests they came across quite a chaotic scene.”
She informed the hearing she had “a lot of questions about how Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) accessed the ice”. She mentioned there is evidence from one paramedic that they had to climb over the barriers “because nobody could show them onto the ice”.
Mrs Rawden also expressed concerns about the availability of blood to paramedics attending the incident. Mr Johnson’s mother, Sue Johnson, and his fiancee, Ryan Wolfe, were among family members who joined the hearing via a video link from the United States.
The coroner told them: “I’m sorry that we are meeting in these circumstances.” She added: “I cannot imagine what life been like for all of you since Adam died.” And she said: “It must have been horrific for all of you.”
Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to press criminal charges against Mr Petgrave, a Canadian national. On Monday, his barrister, Michael Hayton KC, informed the hearing that his client is currently residing in Canada.
The coroner mentioned she intends to summon Mr Petgrave and nine other players from the match to testify, although this plan is subject to change. She was informed that none of these players are presently in the UK.
Mrs Rawden ruled that the inquest will be conducted before a jury and noted that “there is a lot CCTV” relevant to this case.
She stated: “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.” However, Mrs Rawden indicated it’s unlikely that the inquest into Mr Johnson’s death will occur this year.
She acknowledged the pressure to conduct it sooner but highlighted that her investigation had to be put on hold until the police inquiry concluded last year. Mrs Rawden stated: “I’m not going to rush this. I have to conduct a fair and fearless investigation even if it takes time.”
But she added: “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 estimated that the inquest is currently expected to last between four and six weeks. The coroner stated she would determine at a later date whether the inquest should be relocated from Sheffield and, additionally, whether the jury would gain from visiting the arena.
Mrs Rawden established that the inquest’s remit would concentrate on the cause of the injury, the medical facilities at the arena, and the “timeliness and appropriateness” of the medical care given to Mr Johnson.
Mr Johnson’s death sent shockwaves through the ice hockey community after being witnessed by thousands of spectators at the Sheffield arena.
In January 2024 it came to light that Mrs Rawden had issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) regarding the use of neck guards in the sport.
In the report, the coroner stated she was “sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck guards or protectors are not worn”, with the organisations given 56 days to outline what action had been taken – or explain why action had not been taken.
Neck guards have been compulsory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 1, 2024.
This came after the International Ice Hockey Federation’s decision in December 2023 to make the use of neck laceration protectors mandatory for its competitions. A provisional date for another pre-inquest review was scheduled for October 29.