Adam Johnson: Ice hockey player who died 'was planning to propose'

An ice hockey player who died after his neck was fatally cut during a match was planning to propose to his partner, his aunt has said.

Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson suffered the injury from a skate worn by Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave on Saturday evening.

The 29-year-old was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Kari Johnson said his family was watching the game live when her nephew was injured.

Talking to KSTP-TV, a local news station based in Minnesota, in the US, Ms Johnson said seeing the collision was "horrific".

"I cannot even describe it because nobody should have to live through what we saw," she said.

"He thought about other people. He was very deep and he cared about people - he really did.

"It's so young to be taken away. He loved his family. He loved his friends."

Ms Johnson said her nephew, who studied at Loughborough Business School, was revived in an ambulance on the way to hospital, but did not make it through surgery.

Johnson had bought a ring and was due to propose to his partner, Ryan Wolfe, she added.

"We were all really excited because we were really looking forward to their future and he didn't get a chance to ask her, and then this happened," she said.

South Yorkshire Police is investigating the incident, but said their inquiry would "take some time".

The force said detectives had been studying footage of the collision, which happened at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

The Panthers said the injury was caused by a "freak accident".

Fans have been invited by the Panthers to attend a memorial event at their home stadium on Saturday.

The Motorpoint Arena will be open from 17:30 GMT for a gathering to remember the player, the club said.

The club added it had launched an official fundraising page on Tuesday evening "with the permission of Adam's family", which has so far raised more than £37,000.

The fund will support local charitable activities in his home town of Hibbing, Minnesota.

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