On-Ice Accident Kills Hockey Player

A Swedish Elite League hockey player died after his throat was slashed by a teammate’s skate during a weekend game, officials said Monday.

Bengt Akerblom, 28, of the Mora team died during surgery in a hospital in Mora.

Akerblom was skating behind a teammate when an opposing player checked the teammate and sent him tumbling in midair. The teammate’s legs went up and one skate hit Akerblom’s throat, cutting a main artery.

The accident occurred during a training match between Mora and Brynas in the Mora arena Sunday night.

Medical staff were among the 600 spectators and were at Akerblom’s side within a minute, reports said. Akerblom was losing blood fast and was taken to hospital but could not be saved.