An unfortunate error by the police has led to a heart-wrenching mix-up of identities following a fatal car crash involving two teenagers. The authorities mistakenly informed one family that their son had died, while telling another that their son was still alive, when in fact the opposite was true.
This shocking blunder left one family believing that their son was recovering in the hospital over the Christmas period, only to later learn he had tragically died in the accident. Meanwhile, another family has had to grapple with the revelation that the son they thought they lost is, in fact, alive.
The incident, which took place near Rotherham on December 13, is now under investigation by the police watchdog. The aim is to uncover how such a grave mistake could occur and to ensure it is never repeated.
In response to the incident, a senior police chief has issued a heartfelt apology to both families, offering to meet with them to provide an explanation. He has also vowed to implement measures to prevent such an error from happening again.
Initially, South Yorkshire Police had reported that 17-year-old Trevor Wynn was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. This announcement was part of the mistaken identity that has since caused immeasurable distress for the families involved.
After the incident, South Yorkshire Police announced that 17-year-old Trevor Wynn had been pronounced dead at the scene.
A second teenager, a girl also aged 17, also tragically died when the Toyota in which they were travelling left the road and struck a tree, while a third teen was taken to hospital.
However the force today revealed that on Sunday, ‘concerns were raised’ about the identities of the victims of the crash.
Police originally said Trevor Wynn, 17, pictured, was killed when the Toyota in which he was a passenger left the road and struck a tree on December 13 – but today revealed that he survived and is in hospital, and that the boy who died was in fact 18-year-old Joshua Johnson
The vehicle left the carriageway between Dinnington and Todwick, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, pictured
A new formal identification process took place, including forensics, which established that Trevor Wynn was in fact in hospital receiving treatment.
It meant the family of 18-year-old Joshua Johnson – who had been told he was under sedation in hospital being treated for his injuries – had to be informed that he was in reality the boy who had died.
Meanwhile Trevor’s family were told he is actually still alive and has been in hospital since the collision.
Today South Yorkshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said: ‘This has obviously come as a huge shock to everyone and we recognise the additional trauma this may cause.
‘We are supporting Trevor and all the families through this and have engaged specialist agencies to help provide that support.
‘I have also offered to meet with both sets of parents as I am sure they will have many questions, most of which we are not able to answer yet but we are absolutely committed to understanding how this happened so it cannot happen again.
‘We have taken the decision to refer ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to consider our role in the identification processes which were followed following the road traffic collision.
‘We will co-operate fully with any subsequent investigation and will be led by the IOPC on the next steps to determine how this happened, and how we can ensure this never happens again in the future.’
At the time police said their vehicle left the carriageway between Dinnington and Todwick.
Sergeant John Taylor from the Serious Collisions Unit said: ‘This is a tragic collision in which two young people have lost their lives with a further person in a critical condition, and we are committed to finding answers for their families.
‘Our enquiries are continuing, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have footage of the car prior to the collision.’
The families and surviving victim will be offered support from specialist officers and additional specialist services, the force said today.
An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Both remain on bail pending further enquiries.
