Particle.news
Download on the App Store

South Yorkshire Police Admit Weeks-Long Misidentification of Teen Crash Victims

The force has referred the case to the IOPC, which is deciding whether to open a full investigation.

Overview

  • Joshua Johnson, 18, was killed at the scene of the December 13 crash near Rotherham, while 17-year-old Trevor Wynn survived and was in hospital.
  • Joshua’s family spent about three weeks at the bedside of the wrong boy and had begun planning a funeral before the error was discovered.
  • The mix-up came to light when the injured teenager regained consciousness, provided his name and date of birth, and questioned why he was being called Josh.
  • Police say specialist support has been offered to both families, and Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane has offered to meet them.
  • Donations raised when Trevor was believed to have died will be redirected to support his recovery and his family.