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South Yorkshire Police Admit Crash Misidentification, Refer Case to IOPC

Forensic checks overturned the initial identification, prompting specialist support for both families.

Overview

  • South Yorkshire Police confirmed that earlier notifications to families were wrong after tests showed Trevor Wynn, 17, is the hospitalised survivor and Joshua Johnson, 18, was the male victim.
  • The mistake followed the 13 December collision on Todwick Road near Rotherham in which a 17-year-old girl also died.
  • The force has self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review identification procedures, with the watchdog assessing the referral.
  • Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the shock, offered meetings with both sets of parents, and said specialist services are supporting the families and the surviving teenager.
  • Separate criminal inquiries continue, with an 18-year-old arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and a 19-year-old on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, both on bail.