A catastrophic police blunder left two families living a nightmare for 22 days after officers incorrectly identified which of two teenage boys had died in a horrific car crash.
The Fatal Collision and the Initial Mistake
The tragedy unfolded in the early hours of December 13 on Todwick Road, near Dinnington, Rotherham. The silver Toyota Corolla, driven by 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott from Worksop, left the carriageway and struck a tree. Summer died at the scene alongside one of two teenage male passengers.
In the immediate aftermath, South Yorkshire Police informed the families of the two boys, Trevor Wynn, 17, and Joshua Johnson, 18, that Trevor had died and Joshua had survived with serious injuries and was in a coma. This information was tragically incorrect.
Three Weeks of Unknowing Grief and False Hope
Acting on the police's information, Trevor Wynn's family began planning his funeral over the Christmas period. Floral tributes were laid in his memory at the Valley Young People's Centre in Worksop.
Meanwhile, Joshua Johnson's family visited who they believed was their son in hospital daily. Due to the severe nature of the injuries, they did not detect the mistake. It is understood they did not know Trevor personally, and similarities in the boys' appearances, compounded by facial injuries, meant nothing seemed amiss.
"They just thought it was Josh, they had no reason to think it wasn't their son," a source revealed. Astonishingly, Trevor's parents even viewed the body and, under the traumatic circumstances, accepted it was their son.
The Shocking Awakening and a Friend's Doubt
The devastating error finally began to unravel weeks later, as Trevor Wynn started to regain consciousness. Upon waking, he asked medical staff: 'Why are you calling me Josh?'
Around the same time, over the weekend of January 4-5, a friend of Joshua Johnson's grew suspicious while visiting the hospital. As the injured teen began to talk about his family and studies, the details did not match Joshua's life.
The friend contacted Joshua's parents, who then alerted South Yorkshire Police. Formal identification processes, including forensic methods, were urgently undertaken, confirming the horrific mix-up. Joshua had in fact been pronounced dead at the scene, while Trevor was the survivor fighting for his life.
"It has been heartbreaking for them," said Jonathan Stoner, a friend of Trevor's family. "Parents who have told their kids that Trevor was dead are now going to have to tell them otherwise, which is brutal."
Outrage, Investigations and Heartfelt Tributes
The revelation has caused profound anguish. Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley, said the police force now faces "serious questions" about how the failure occurred and what safeguards were missing. He described the situation as "appalling" for the families.
South Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the "huge shock" and "additional trauma" caused and has offered to meet both families.
As the police investigation continues, tributes have poured in for Joshua Johnson, a fearless stockcar racing fanatic who had recently passed his driving test. A GoFundMe page described him as a "kindest, most caring lad" who was "fearless, loyal, and full of heart".
Tributes were also paid to driver Summer Scott, remembered as a "kind-hearted and pure soul".
Following the crash, 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.
