Tragedy: American ice hockey star Adam Johnson dies aged 29 ‘after having his throat slit in a terrible accident during a game in the UK’ – as his devastated mother says: ‘I lost half my heart today’

A hockey star who was said to have suffered a horrific injury to his throat during a game has died aged 29, his family said.

Adam Johnson’s injury was so horrific that the game had to be abandoned, reducing the traumatized fans to tears.

The American athlete is believed to have sustained a hockey stick injury to his neck during the game between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena Sheffield this evening.

His mother Kari shared her heartache on social media this morning, telling friends: “I lost half of my heart today.”

A witness told MailOnline that Mr Johnson tried to return to his team after the neck injury but collapsed before he could, leading to panicked scenes as players and paramedics rushed to help the stricken star.

Around 8,000 fans saw the nightmarish collision before the game was quickly stopped and screens were brought onto the pitch to protect the players involved. The game has now been canceled.

Adam Johnson’s mother Kari took to social media this morning to share her heartache – telling friends: “I lost half of my heart today.”

Adam Johnson (pictured) suffered a horrific injury in a nightmare tackle that left spectators horrified

The incident took place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield (pictured) and is believed to have been witnessed by around 8,000 fans

Horrified fans have taken to social media to express their horror at the accident

Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they were called at around 8.21pm before sending two ambulances and an intensive care paramedic – one man was taken to hospital.

Devastated spectators who witnessed the accident cried and hugged each other. One said: “They will never get over what they saw.” “It was terrible to see. “People were crying and fainting,” another shocked witness added.

The freak accident was apparently caused by a Sheffield Steelers player as he attempted to attack another of Mr Johnson’s team-mates.

The footage shows Mr Johnson being hit in the neck by an ice skate before collapsing. The profusely bleeding ice hockey star manages to stand up while his teammates rush to his aid.

Shocked fans were left traumatized by the incident and many took to social media to share their horror at the accident.

One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “About nightmares at the Panthers game tonight, I’m praying for Adam Johnson.”

Another wrote on Facebook: “My 17 year old came home battered, he said he couldn’t forget what he saw tonight.” He’s white as a sheet. “My thoughts and prayers are with the teams involved.”

Someone else shared: “My son and I were there watching the game intently.” We just keep hugging each other. “A lot of angry people, so I know we’re not alone.”

Another wrote on

A fifth added: “I really hope he is well and that the news of his recovery will be made public soon.” “Thoughts and prayers to him and his family at this very anxious time.”

Adam Johnson (pictured) is believed to have suffered a hockey stick to the neck during the game between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers

The freak accident was apparently caused by a Sheffield Steelers player as he attempted to attack another of Mr Johnson’s team-mates

A witness told MailOnline that Mr Johnson tried to return to his team after the neck injury but collapsed before he could

Due to a “serious medical emergency,” fans were asked to leave the building.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service told MailOnline: “We were called to the Sheffield Steelers game at Sheffield Arena at 8.21pm this evening. “We treated a man and sent two ambulances and an intensive care paramedic and we have one Patients taken to hospital.”

Nottingham Panthers posted on X: “Players return to changing rooms.”

The account then provided an update that said, “Fans have been asked to leave the building due to a serious medical emergency.”

Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, home of the Panthers, posted later in the evening.’

MailOnline has contacted Nottingham Panthers and South Yorkshire Police for comment.

The American Mr. Johnson previously played for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: “Yesterday at 8.21pm we were called to Sheffield Arena, to the hockey match, to an incident on the ice.”

“We sent two ambulances and an intensive care paramedic and then took a patient to the hospital.”