Police told a heartbroken family their teenage boy had died in a horror car crash just days before Christmas, but he later woke up from a coma.
South Yorkshire Police said Trevor Wynn, 17, died shortly before 3am, on December 13, when a silver Toyota Corolla left the carriageway. The teen’s family was left in shock just three weeks later when the boy they thought had died actually woke up in a hospital bed and told doctors his name.
Joshua Johnson, 18, sadly died in the crash but police thought he was the person receiving treatment in hospital. 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott, who was driving the car at the time, was also tragically killed.
Trevor’s family was left planning his funeral over Christmas, which was expected to be held this Friday until the shocking mix-up was revealed.
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 pending further enquiries.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said: “We have taken the decision to refer ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to consider our role in the identification processes which were followed following the road traffic collision.”
