Adam Johnson’s dad and grandma watched his final moments on livestream after throat ‘slashed by Matt Petgrave’s skate’

ADAM Johnson’s dad and grandmother watched his final moments on a livestream after his throat was slashed by an ice skate.

The Nottingham Panthers star, 29, suffered a gash to the throat in a collision with Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave on October 28.

Panthers Images

Adam Johnson in action for the Nottingham Panthers[/caption]

LNP

A sea of flowers laid outside Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena in the wake of Adam’s death[/caption]

Instagram

Johnson pictured with his girlfriend Ryan Wolfe[/caption]

He immediately fell to the floor and was helped towards the side of the rink at the Utilita Arena, but collapsed again a few paces later.

The former NHL player received emergency medical treatment on the ice, with his girlfriend by his side, before he died of his injury in hospital.

His Dad Davey, grandma and aunt Kari watched the horrific incident unfold via a livestream from their home in Minnesota.

Kari told the US Sun: “We were watching it, streaming it from the computer onto the TV.

“We saw what happened and we were devastated. We knew right away something was not right, that something was really bad.

“We could see all the blood and we knew right away it was terrible.”

It comes as South Yorkshire Police yesterday confirmed a man had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death.

Today they revealed the man has been bailed.

In a statement yesterday Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said: “Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive enquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.

“We have been speaking to highly specialised experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.”

Reacting to the news of the arrest, Kari added: “We’re just going to have to let it play out and see what happens.

“Whatever they’d decided, I would have had to live with it.

“But I’m just glad they are being diligent with doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”

A post-mortem examination confirmed the American’s cause of death as a neck injury earlier this month.

A coroner who opened the inquest into Johnson’s death warned that there could be more ice hockey deaths unless neck guards become mandatory.

The UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League has said it will not enforce mandatory wearing of the safety equipment but would “strongly encourage” players and officials to wear them.

The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), in a change to regulations, has said the guards will become mandatory from 2024.

The Elite League, which includes the Panthers, is not under the governing body’s control.

Reuters

Flowers and tributes left outside the Motorpoint Arena on November 4[/caption]

Reuters

A fan holds an ice hockey jersey with Johnson’s name on the back at a tribute to him[/caption]