Chloe Aslett & Victoria ScheerYorkshire
Supplied
Police initially told Trevor Wynn’s family he had died in a car crash before confirming he was being treated in hospital
A police force has admitted mixing up the identities of an 18-year-old killed in a car crash with another teenager who survived the collision.
South Yorkshire Police believed Trevor “TJ” Wynn, 17, had died in the crash near Rotherham on 13 December and told his family.
But on Sunday it emerged he had survived and it was Joshua Johnson who had been killed alongside a 17-year-old girl, who was driving the vehicle.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said the force had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) since identifying the error, adding that he was aware of “the additional trauma this may cause”.
Police were called to Todwick Road between Dinnington and Todwick in the early hours of 13 December after a silver Toyota Corolla crashed off the road.
At the time the force said a 17-year-old girl, who was driving, and a 17-year-old boy had been pronounced dead at the scene, while an 18-year-old male had been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Trevor’s family were subsequently told he had died while it was believed that Johnson was the male in hospital receiving treatment.
The 17-year-old girl has not been formally named by police, but she was identified as Summer Louise Scott at the opening of an inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, South Yorkshire Police said “concerns” had been raised about the identities of those killed.
A spokesperson said “information came to light” on Sunday which prompted “further formal identification processes, including forensics, to be undertaken” and resulted in the mistake being identified.
The incident occurred on the road between Dinnington and Todwick
McFarlane said he had since offered to meet with both sets of parents to discuss the matter.
He 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.”
He said South Yorkshire Police would fully cooperate with any subsequent investigation by the police watchdog.
The IOPC said it was assessing the referral to determine whether an investigation was required.
An 18-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and a 19-year-old arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection with the crash both remain on bail pending further inquiries.
South Yorkshire Police
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said the force had referred itself to the IOPC
Trevor was not named publicly by police at the time of the crash, but was widely identified on social media and in local news outlets as having died in the collision.
A fundraiser set up in his name by family friend Jonathan Stoner last month has raised more than £1,000.
In an update on Tuesday, Stoner said following the news that Trevor was alive, the money raised would go “directly toward helping TJ move forward in life and supporting his family through this recovery process”.
“The police initially made a mistake and identified the wrong person, and we were informed incorrectly at the time,” the update read.
“This has since been clarified, and we want to be completely transparent with everyone who has supported us.”
Stoner said the focus would now be on helping the teenager, who had been through “a serious, life-changing situation”, recover.
“We understand this news may come as a shock, and we appreciate everyone’s patience, kindness, and continued support,” the update said.
“Every single share, donation, and message has come from a place of love – and that love is still needed now more than ever.”
PA Media
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard says his “heart goes out” to all of those affected by the error
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said he welcomed the force’s decision to refer the matter to the IOPC.
“My heart goes out to Trevor Wynn, his family and the families of Joshua Johnson and the young woman so tragically killed in the road traffic collision late last year,” he said.
“I don’t know that any of us can imagine what their families and friends have been going through over these past few weeks.
“As the police have rightfully acknowledged, an incident of this nature demands a full investigation and changes to any processes that have allowed families to be put in this position.”
Labour MP for Rotherham, Sarah Champion, said she was “deeply troubled that an error of this magnitude has occurred”.
“My heart goes out to the families involved; I will be holding the police to account to make sure this cannot happen again, the pain they have caused is unimaginable,” she said.
