South Yorkshire Police informed a devastated family that their teenage son had passed away in a tragic car accident just before Christmas. However, the family was shocked to learn that the 17-year-old, Trevor Wynn, who they believed had died in the crash, actually woke up from a coma in the hospital.
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 13 when a silver Toyota Corolla veered off the road, resulting in the death of 18-year-old Joshua Johnson and 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott, who was driving the vehicle.
Initially, authorities mistakenly identified Joshua Johnson as the survivor receiving medical treatment in the hospital. Trevor’s family had been making arrangements for his funeral, scheduled for this Friday, until the unexpected revelation of his survival.
Following the accident, an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both individuals are currently on bail pending further investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane announced that the police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review the identification procedures that were followed after the tragic collision.
Trevor’s family was initially informed that he had perished in the crash that occurred on December 13. However, the teenager had actually survived the collision and had been in a coma in the hospital for three weeks before his family was informed of his survival.
The shocking revelation that Trevor was alive came 22 days after the accident, overturning the family’s plans for his funeral over the Christmas period. The family had started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for what they believed was Trevor’s funeral expenses.
In a tragic turn of events, Joshua Johnson’s family was mistakenly told that he was alive and undergoing treatment in the hospital following the collision, when in fact he had passed away on the day of the accident.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane of South Yorkshire Police acknowledged the distressing nature of the situation, stating that the force is aware of the added trauma this mix-up may have caused.
The car accident took place on Todwick Road near Dinnington in South Yorkshire, where the vehicle left the roadway.