Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave has launched a crowdfunding bid following the death of Adam Johnson
The man involved in the play that led to the death of hockey player Adam Johnson has spoken out about the incident for the first time.
On 28 October 2023, Adam Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers suffered a freak incident that shook the sporting world, passing away in the middle of a game against the Sheffield Steelers.
The professional hockey player was slashed in the neck in the high-stakes derby game, with over 8,000 fans looking on at the Utilita Arena.
They would soon be asked to leave the stadium in Sheffield as authorities called for medical help.
Community grieves ice hockey star
Credit: Fox 9
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Following the accident, the game was stopped in the 35th minute as the 29-year-old was attended to by health professionals.
The American was rushed to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where we sadly died of his injuries.
The Nottingham Panthers said in a statement: “Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.
“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.
“Everyone at the club including players, staff, management, and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam’s passing.”
The man involved in the play leading to the death of Johnson has now spoken about the incident through a crowdfunding request.
Adam Johnson died as a result of his injuries (Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
Hockey player and former Sheffield Steels defenseman Matt Petgrave took to CrowdJustice for assistance with his legal costs, over a year after the incident.
He has raised over £10,000 since launching the drive.
“On October 28, 2023, I was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the passing of fellow ice hockey player Adam Johnson,” Petgrave said in a statement.
“There is an ongoing police investigation and the legal process has been long and challenging,
“I am seeking help to cover some of my legal costs whilst I am subject to police bail, as well as additional costs if the matter proceeds to criminal court. Any remaining funds will be donated to initiatives that promote safety in hockey, via a CrowdJustice campaign in-line with their unused funds policy,” he wrote.
The statement further read: “Initially, I had the benefit of insurance cover, but through no fault of my own, this has been halted.
“Additionally, the time and costs involved in the legal investigation and potential court proceedings are difficult for me to cover on a privately funded basis.”
Petgrave took to CrowdJustice to release a statement (Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
He added: “This is especially challenging because my UK visa has expired, preventing me from working as a professional ice hockey player while I continue to need legal assistance.”
CrowdJustice stated that it conducts ‘rigorous checks’ before funding drives can be launched.
All funds raised go straight to a designated lawyer’s account for that client.
It stated: “We can confirm these checks have been completed for the Matthew Petgrave campaign. Raised funds will be sent directly to the instructed lawyers.”
A man currently remains under investigation by police after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, though South Yorkshire Police have re-bailed him several times, most recently in early November.
So far, no criminal charges have been filed.
The person’s identity has not yet been revealed by authorities.Featured Image Credit: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images / Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images
Joshua Nair
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Updated 08:40 25 Oct 2024 GMT+1Published 09:38 3 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Police issue update on man arrested in connection with ice hockey player who died after being slashed in throat during game
Adam Johnson died after sustaining a neck injury in an ice hockey game last October
Police have shared an update on the man arrested in connection with the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson.
In October 2023, Johnson had been playing an ice hockey game with his team the Nottingham Panthers against Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena when he was involved in a collision with Steelers player.
During the collision, Johnson was struck by the skate from the other player’s boot which caused a fatal cut to his neck.
Johnson was taken for emergency treatment but later died in hospital, a post-mortem would later confirm that his death was caused by a neck injury.
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Adam Johnson was killled after being struck in the neck by an opponent’s skate during a game (Joe Sargent/NHLIGetty Images)
Following Johnson’s death, a man who police have not named, was arrested in November and bailed until July this year. He has now been re-bailed again until 11 November, 2024 as the investigation continues.
The statement added: “Our investigation is ongoing, and our thoughts remain with Adam’s family.
“If there are any developments in the investigation ahead of the new bail expiry date, these will be issued proactively on the South Yorkshire Police website.”
Sheffield’s senior coroner Tanyka Rawden has since issued a report on the Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), urging the implementation of neck guards in the sport.
The ice hockey world has since shared tributes to Johnson (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Urging the relevant ice hockey bodies to make neck guards mandatory in the sport, she wrote: “In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you.”
Neck guards are currently mandatory for all events run by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), this includes the Winter Olympics. This rule has now been implemented by the English Ice Hockey Association, who made the use of neck guards mandatory at the start of 2024.
Elite Ice Hockey League, where both the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers compete, also made neck guards mandatory for players from 1 January this year.
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A man has since been arrested and bailed in connection with his death (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Born in the US, Johnson had previously played in Sweden and Germany before joining the Panthers for their 2023-24 season.
In the weeks following Johnson’s death, tributes poured in across the ice hockey world, while a commemorative plaque has been installed at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, where the Panthers play their home games, in memory of Johnson. The plaque reads ‘Forever our 47’, which is the number Johnson wore while at the club.Featured Image Credit: (Joe Sargent/NHLIGetty Images / Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Brenna Cooper
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Updated 16:13 12 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 15:49 12 Dec 2024 GMT
breaking
Body found in search for former England rugby player Tom Voyce
Search efforts have found a body, which is yet to be identified
Search efforts to find former England rugby player Tom Voyce have found a body, which has not yet been identified.
Voyce was presumed dead after he was swept away in a river he tried to drive across, with his Toyota Hilux later being recovered downstream.
Police received a report on Sunday morning (8 December) telling them that Voyce hadn’t returned home after spending an evening out with friends.
Northumbria Police launched a search and later announced that they ‘suspected Tom has attempted to cross Abberwick Ford in his car’, explaining that the car had been recovered but they had not found the 43-year-old.
Now in a subsequent update police have said that search efforts have found a body, which has not yet been formally identified as Voyce though officers have informed his next of kin.
A body has been found in the search for former England rugby player Tom Voyce. (Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely sad development and our thoughts very much continue to be with Tom’s loved ones.
“I would like to thank all of our officers, partners and volunteers for their assistance throughout the searches which have been conducted in very challenging circumstances. We would continue to ask that people respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
Police believed that Voyce went into the River Aln near Alnwick after trying to cross the Abberwick Ford.
A marine unit for Northumbria Police found a body in the river near Abberwick Mill today (12 December), officers do not believe there was any third party involvement.
The area had been affected during the weekend by Storm Darragh, which had caused some flooding, resulting in the river level being particularly high.
Tom Voyce, pictured in 2005 during England’s 40-3 win over Samoa in which he scored two tries. (Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
Northumbria Police had said their search efforts had faced ‘very challenging conditions, not least due to the river flow and the level being significantly heightened after the exceptionally heavy rain experienced over the weekend’.
During his career in rugby, Voyce won nine caps for England and spent six years at Wasps between 2003 and 2009 where he helped them win European and domestic titles.
He had previously played for Bath between 2000 and 2003, and after his successful stint at Wasps he joined Gloucester in 2009.
Voyce played the last year of his career for London Welsh and made 220 Premiership appearances before retiring in May 2013.
When police had previously announced they suspected that Voyce had been swept away and was presumed dead a spokesperson said that Tom’s wife Anna and his wider family had expressed gratitude to those providing help.Featured Image Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/JOHN D MCHUGH/AFP via Getty Images
Joe Harker
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Updated 15:47 20 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 15:46 20 Dec 2024 GMT
Hawk Tuah Girl speaks out for first time after weeks of silence following scandal
Haliey Welch has broken her silence since the $HAWK token tanked
The Hawk Tuah Girl has broken her silence and spoken out for the first time since the controversy surrounding her new cryptocurrency.
The viral sensation – real name Haliey Welch – has kept her silence on social media since she first addressed the scandal two weeks ago. And seen as though most of us haven’t been able to escape the 21-year-old’s presence online over the last six months, that’s really saying something.
Welch, who hails from Belfast, Tennessee, has been grabbing all of the opportunities presented to her with both hands.
Among other things, she has quit her day job, sang on stage with country music star Zach Bryan, started a merch line and launched a podcast.
The Simpsons’ Hawk Tuah
Credit: 20th Television
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It’s crazy where drunkenly sharing tips on how to master the art of fellatio can get you, isn’t it?
Keen to capitalise on her success – which as we all know, can be fleeting when you become famous as a viral star – Welch also branched out into crypto.
The coin, which is named ‘$HAWK token’, became available on 4 December and quickly soared to a value of $490 million (£384 million). But just hours after it launched, it’s worth nosedived dramatically.
It flopped by more than 90 percent, according to CoinTelegraph, and was then trading at a value $41.7 million (£32.6 million).
Those who invested in the $HAWK token – which was heavily promoted online before it’s launch – have collectively lost millions.
Haliey Welch shot to viral fame earlier this year after sharing her tips to keep your man happy (YouTube/Tim & Dee TV)
As well as taking to social media to slam Hawk Tuah Girl, a host of furious buyers have launched legal proceedings too.
A federal lawsuit has been filed in the US by Burwick Law on the behalf of 12 claimants, against the actual creators of the coin – overHere Ltd and it’s founder Clinton So.
Social media influencer Alex Larson Schultz and the Tuah The Moon Foundation have also been named in the lawsuit.
It accuses them of unlawfully promoting and selling cryptocurrency, which was was allegedly never properly registered.
Welch only fronted the $HAWK token and she has not been named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
She has now found herself at the centre of a cryptocurrency scandal (Instagram/@hay_welch)
A dozen plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $151,000 (£120,000).
A number of people who were left out of pocket have filed complained with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In wake of the scandal, Welch shared a statement on X on 4 December responding to the backlash.
The post read: “Hawkanomics: Team hasn’t sold one token and not 1 KOL was given 1 free token. We tried to stop snipers as best we could through high fee’s in the start of launch on @MeteoraAG. Fee’s have now been dropped.”
Now, following two weeks of social media silence, Welch has issued a statement on X.
I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community. I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the…
It reads: “I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community.
“I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter.
“If you have experienced losses related to this, please contact Burwick Law using the link below: https://burwick.law/newclient. @BurwickLaw.”
Her lawyer, Christian Barker, said that she was paid £98,135 ($125,000) to promote the $HAWK token and was promised a 50 percent share of the net proceeds after expenses, according to the International Business Times.Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Tim & Dee TV / Instagram/@hay_welch
Topics: Hawk Tuah girl, Viral, Cryptocurrency, Social Media, US News, Money
Olivia Burke
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Updated 07:38 16 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 07:30 16 Dec 2024 GMT
British teen convicted after having sex with girl in Dubai could see jail time increased to 20 years
Marcus Fakana, 18, made a public plea to Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to ‘give him his life back’ last week
A British teen who has been convicted in Dubai after having sex with a 17-year-old girl could see his jail time increased to 20 years, according to a lawyer who claims to be advising the family.
Marcus Fakana, 18, has been sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail for having a sexual relationship with a British girl one year younger than him last week (11 December).
The Tottenham resident was on holiday with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in August when a ‘holiday romance blossomed’ with another Londoner, who has since turned 18.
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Marcus Fakana, 18, faces up to 20 years in jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old in Dubai (PA)
What led to Marcus Fakana’s arrest?
According to campaign group Detained in Dubai, the woman’s mother reported Fakana to the police who arrested him at the hotel.
“We really liked each other, but she was secretive with her family because they were strict,” he said.
“My parents knew about our relationship, but she couldn’t tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy.”
He was excited to see her again when he got home, but then police suddenly showed up at his hotel and he was taken into custody without any explanation. Marcus was detained for three days, unable to contact his parents.
It is understood that the girl’s mother found the pair’s chats and photos when they returned to the UK and contacted police in Dubai.
At the time, she was a few months younger than Marcus and has since turned 18.
What does the law say in Dubai?
Although the relationship would have been legal in England, this is not the case in Dubai.
The law was only recently changed to allow tourists to have sex outside of marriage, but it requires both participants to be aged 18 or older.
Fakana told the Daily Mail: “Today I was sentenced to one year in Dubai prison.
“My family and I are devastated and in shock. I never intended to break the law.
“It didn’t occur to me at the time and for that, I’m sorry.
“I am asking His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to please forgive me and pardon me.
“Let me go home. Please give me my life back.”
In Dubai, two people have to be aged 18 or older for a relationship (Getty Stock Images)
‘The days ahead are fraught with difficulty’, says lawyer
Lawyer David Haigh, who claims to be advising the Fakana family, has since warned that the teen’s sentence could still increase to 20 years.
“The maximum sentence for a case like this is 20 years,” he told the outlet.
“It is always seen that the prosecutor really decides the sentence, but this was a low one for them.
“The worry is that they will not want to let this go and look weak.
“They may want to show they have fully upheld the law to everyone watching. Marcus will play almost no part in any prosecution appeal.
“He won’t be allowed to talk or address the judge and everything will be in Arabic anyway.
“There won’t be a translator. He’ll probably be pushed into court for a minute and then pushed straight out again.
“The days ahead are fraught with difficulty.”
Founder of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, added: “[his family] are going to wait and see if the prosecution is going to apply for a harsher sentence. That real possibility is frankly freaking the family out.”Featured Image Credit: PA/Getty Stock Images