South Yorkshire Police have issued a profound apology to two families after a catastrophic error led them to misidentify the teenage victims of a fatal road collision.
A Devastating Error and a Shocking Correction
The horrific incident occurred on December 13 on Todwick Road, near Rotherham. Officers initially believed that two 17-year-olds, a girl and Trevor 'TJ' Wynn, had been killed. They delivered this devastating news to Trevor's family shortly after the crash.
Police told the family that an 18-year-old survivor in hospital under heavy sedation was their friend, Joshua Johnston. For three agonising weeks, Trevor's family mourned his loss, while Joshua's loved ones kept vigil at a hospital bedside they believed was his.
New Information Reveals the Tragic Truth
On Sunday, January 4, police stated that 'new information came to light', prompting fresh forensic identification tests. The results, confirmed on Tuesday, January 6, revealed a heartbreaking reversal.
Trevor Wynn was, in fact, the young man alive in hospital receiving treatment. Joshua Johnston was the teenager who had tragically died.
The mix-up had profound immediate consequences. A GoFundMe page originally launched to cover Trevor's funeral costs had raised £1,000. In a raw and honest update, the organisers addressed the shocking turn of events.
'Following recent confirmation, it has now come to light that TJ is alive,' the statement read. 'The police initially made a mistake and identified the wrong person... Our focus now is on helping TJ recover and rehabilitate.'
The funds will be repurposed to support Trevor's medical costs and help his family be at his bedside.
Police Refer Themselves to Watchdog
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the 'huge shock' and 'additional trauma' caused by the error. He admitted he did not yet have most of the answers about how the mistake happened.
'We are absolutely committed to understanding how this happened so it cannot happen again,' McFarlane stated. The force has taken the significant step of referring itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over the identification processes followed after the crash.
An IOPC spokesman confirmed they are 'currently assessing the referral to determine whether an investigation is required'.
In connection with the crash itself, 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.
A police spokesman said all those involved have asked to thank the public for their support but now wish to be left in peace to process the future they face.
