A coroner has heard how a teenage victim of a fatal car crash was misidentified by police, leading to what a watchdog called "awful consequences" for two grieving families.
How the tragic misidentification unfolded
The hearing at Doncaster Coroner's Court was told that Joshua Johnson, 18, died following a collision on Todwick Road in Rotherham on December 13. A 17-year-old girl also lost her life in the same incident, while another teenager was seriously injured.
However, South Yorkshire Police initially informed the public that the male victim was 17-year-old Trevor Wynn. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Knowles explained to the court that an officer had used a description from family and a photo ID card to establish the identity at the scene.
The error only came to light days later when Joshua Johnson's father raised concerns. This happened when the person he had been told was his son came out of sedation at Rotherham Hospital. DCI Knowles confirmed Joshua's identity "to a high degree of certainty" using dental records.
Families' anguish and police referral
In a heartfelt tribute issued through police, Joshua's family described the unimaginable ordeal of spending "hours in hospital with who we now know to be Trevor". They said they never wanted him to be alone.
The family paid tribute to Joshua as a "loveable, gentle giant" with a passion for stock car racing, a hobby he had enjoyed since he was just six weeks old. They asked for privacy as they begin their "journey with grief".
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) stated it was "clear something has gone very wrong". South Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the IOPC over its identification process, and an investigation is now underway.
Ongoing investigations and arrests
The fatal collision occurred when the silver Toyota Corolla the teenagers were travelling in hit a tree. In connection with the crash, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. A 19-year-old was also held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both have been released on bail pending further inquiries.
The coroner's hearing marks the start of a formal process to examine the circumstances of the deaths, while the separate IOPC probe will scrutinise the police's actions in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
