South Yorkshire Police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after a serious error in identifying two teenagers involved in a car crash. The mistake led to one family being told their son had died, when in fact he was alive and injured in hospital.
The collision occurred on Todwick Road in Rotherham on 13 December. Initially, police believed Trevor Wynn, 17, had died alongside a 17-year-old girl, while Joshua Johnson, 18, was thought to be injured and sedated in hospital. Wynn's family were informed of his death, and tributes were posted online describing him as “the most caring lad with a soft soul”. A fundraising page collected hundreds of pounds in donations.
However, on Sunday, concerns were raised and further testing confirmed that Wynn was the one in hospital and Johnson had died. Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the shock and additional trauma caused, stating: “We recognise the additional trauma this may cause.” He added that the force is committed to understanding how the error occurred and ensuring it never happens again.
Both families are being offered support from specialist officers and services. An 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old on suspicion of perverting the course of justice; both have been bailed pending further inquiries.
