The ice hockey player who accidentally killed Adam Johnson with his boot blade in a freak accident is 'unlikely' to face prosecution, legal experts claimed today. Nottingham Panthers star Adam Johnson died when his throat was accidentally cut by Sheffield Steelers opponent Matt Petgrave's skate blade as they collided.


The 29-year-old briefly stood up, bleeding profusely on to the ice, before collapsing again during the game in Sheffield. He received immediate medical attention, with CPR performed on the ice, and was taken to hospital but could not be saved.


South Yorkshire Police said officers are the scene at the Utilita Arena 'carrying out enquiries' and its investigation into the circumstances 'remains ongoing'.

But university legal professor Nicola Lacey said it would be 'very unlikely' for Petgrave to be charged with manslaughter by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). As fans of both teams plan to hold vigils in Nottingham and Sheffield on Saturday:

Ms Lacey, a professor at the London School of Economics, told Newsweek: 'From what I have read on the news, it seems very unlikely the CPS would prosecute.'For manslaughter you need either gross negligence - a really large departure from normal standards of care such as to justify criminal liability; or an unlawful and dangerous act - the latter only likely if for example there had been a pretty flagrant breach of the sport's rules.


'If it was really a 'freak accident,' neither of those tests would be met; and the CPS can only prosecute where there is a realistic chance of conviction.'


Her LSE colleague Jeremy Horder added that injuries 'caused in the course of an ordinary lawful sporting contest' are within the definition of 'ordinary contact'.


Footage showed how Petgrave crashed into one of Johnson's teammates on Saturday in a collision which saw him lose balance before his leg lifted up and made contact with Johnson's neck.


Video of the incident showed Johnson getting to his feet, with blood pouring on to the ice. He was helped by a referee and a teammate as he headed off the rink, but collapsed on to the ice.

The Steelers doctor and the Panthers physio then went straight onto the ice to help him and were joined by paramedics and two trauma nurses from the crowd.


After players formed a ring to shield Johnson being given treatment, screens were brought down on the ice but the medical team was seen performing CPR before Johnson was taken to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.


Now, supporters have planned vigils this Saturday at both the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham and the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, where the incident happened.


Fans will gather at both sites at 8pm before a minute's silence is held at 8.20pm, reported the Nottingham Post.


It comes after the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) said both teams' games this weekend had been postponed - but the other eight sides will all play on Saturday and Sunday with 'appropriate and fitting tributes' to Johnson expected to take place.


The other eight teams in the league are Belfast Giants, Guildford Flames, Coventry Blaze, Dundee Stars, Cardiff Devils, Manchester Storm, Fife Flyers and Glasgow Clan. The EIHL added that scheduled for both today and tomorrow had been postponed.


The league said that coaches of those eight teams spoke with their players yesterday about what should happen next, and they 'expressed their wish to return to playing Elite League fixtures this weekend'.