In a shocking case of mistaken identity, police in England have issued a humiliating apology after wrongly informing a family that their teenage son had died in a car accident. The young man was, in fact, alive and receiving treatment in a hospital.
A Devastating Error Comes to Light
The incident, which occurred in South Yorkshire, began on December 13, 2025. Police were called to Todwick Road, between Dinnington and Todwick, following reports that a silver Toyota Corolla had left the roadway and crashed.
Initial information led officers to believe that the driver, 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott, and a 17-year-old male passenger had died at the scene. An 18-year-old male was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.
Based on this early assessment, South Yorkshire Police contacted the family of 17-year-old Trevor Wynn and delivered the devastating news that he was the deceased passenger. They were told that 18-year-old Joshua Johnson was the survivor, sedated and recovering in the hospital.
The Hospital Revelation That Unraveled the Mistake
The tragic error began to unravel when the injured teenager in the hospital regained consciousness. According to a report by Sky News, the young man reportedly woke up and stated, "I'm Trevor."
This statement prompted an immediate and urgent review. On Sunday, January 8, 2026, police announced that new "information came to light," forcing them to re-examine their entire identification process. Subsequent forensic testing confirmed the truth: Trevor Wynn was the injured survivor in the hospital, and Joshua Johnson was the victim who had died at the scene.
Police Apology and Investigation Launched
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane publicly addressed the profound error. He told the BBC that the force had voluntarily reported itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and expressed deep regret for the "additional trauma" caused to both families.
"We are supporting Trevor and all the families through this and have engaged specialist agencies to help provide that support," McFarlane said. He has also offered to meet with the parents of both teenagers to answer their questions, acknowledging that a full explanation of how the mistake happened is still pending the investigation's outcome.
In the wake of the crash, police have made two arrests. An unnamed 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. A 19-year-old was held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both individuals have been released on bail as inquiries continue.
The case has raised serious questions about police identification protocols following major incidents, with South Yorkshire Police vowing to ensure such a catastrophic communication failure never happens again.
