Family of teenager wrongly told by police he died in crash in ‘appalling’ mix-up

A family was left mourning the death of a teenager in a car crash only to find out three weeks later that the boy was alive after an “appalling” mix-up by police.

South Yorkshire Police told the family of Trevor Wynn that the 17-year-old had been killed along with a 17-year-old girl in the crash in Rotherham on 13 December.

The news led to an outpouring of grief in the community and a fundraiser was set up in the boy’s name.

However, on Sunday, the force said “information came to light”, which prompted further identification checks, revealing that a sedated survivor from the crash in hospital, who was believed to be 18-year-old Joshua Johnson, was in fact Trevor.

The mistake also led to the realisation that Joshua had died.

The force said it had referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), while Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane vowed to make sure such an incident can never happen again.

However, people in the community have been left concerned.

Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, said: “This is an appalling situation for the families involved.

“To be wrongly informed about the death or survival of a loved one is unimaginably distressing, and my thoughts are with all those affected, particularly the family of Joshua Johnson, and with Trevor Wynn and his family as he continues to receive treatment.”

Mr Richards said that “serious questions must be answered how such a failure occurred”, adding that “families deserve accuracy, and dignity”.

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Before it was known Trevor had survived the crash, more than £800 had been raised in donations to the fundraising page set up for Trevor, also known as TJ.

Organiser of the online fundraiser, Jonathan Stoner, issued an update, saying the money raised would now go toward Trevor’s recovery.

He wrote: “The police initially made a mistake and identified the wrong person, and we were informed incorrectly at the time. This has since been clarified, and we want to be completely transparent with everyone who has supported us.

“Our focus now is on helping TJ recover and rehabilitate, and on supporting his family with the very real costs they are facing during this incredibly difficult time.”

He added: “We understand this news may come as a shock, and we appreciate everyone’s patience, kindness, and continued support.”

The crash happened between Dinnington and Todwick in the early hours of 13 December, after a silver Toyota Corolla came off the road.

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 are on bail pending further enquiries.

Assistant Chief Constable McFarlane said he had offered to meet the parents of Trevor and Joshua to discuss the matter.

“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,” he said.

“We have taken the decision to refer ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to consider our role in the identification processes which were followed following the road traffic collision.”