A mistaken identity incident occurred where authorities informed a family that their teenage son had perished in a tragic accident, only for the boy to awaken from a coma and reveal his true identity to the police.
South Yorkshire Police initially reported that Trevor Wynn, aged 17, had died in a crash in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on December 13. The family of the boy, known as TJ from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, mourned his supposed loss until it was later confirmed that there had been a mix-up, and Trevor was found alive in a hospital.
The actual victims of the fatal crash were 18-year-old Joshua Johnson and an unnamed 17-year-old female driver. Authorities stated that the incident involving a silver Toyota Corolla occurred as the vehicle veered off the road away from Dinnington, South Yorkshire.
New information surfaced on Sunday, prompting further formal identification procedures, including forensic examinations. Contrary to earlier beliefs that Joshua was undergoing treatment, it was revealed that the hospitalized teenager was Trevor. Currently, Trevor is recovering and receiving specialized care, while Joshua’s funeral, previously scheduled for the past Friday, had been planned.
Before Trevor’s survival was confirmed, tributes poured in online, with donations totaling £840 raised on a fundraising platform to aid his family. The shocking turn of events led to expressions of disbelief and concern on social media about the mix-up, with a family friend revealing that the truth came to light when Trevor regained consciousness and provided his personal details to medical staff.
Expressing outrage, another source close to Trevor’s family criticized the mix-up, labeling it as “disgusting” given that funeral arrangements had started based on incorrect information. The unexpected revelation of Trevor’s survival disrupted the funeral plans, which were initially set for the following Friday at St Anne’s Church in Worksop.
Moreover, the community had already paid tribute to Trevor with floral arrangements at Valley Young People’s Centre in Worksop, where Trevor, a student at North Notts College, was well-known. Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the shock caused by the incident and assured support for all affected parties, including engaging specialized agencies for assistance.
In response to the situation, the police committed to a thorough review of their identification processes following the collision by involving the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate and prevent similar errors in the future. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident, one on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and the other for allegedly obstructing justice, both currently on bail pending further investigations.
A charity boxing event was organized by Jonathan to raise funds for Trevor’s family, which garnered £1,000 in donations on a GoFundMe page. The collected funds, initially intended for funeral expenses, will now support the family with rehabilitation costs. The unexpected turn of events has left the community grappling with unanswered questions and emotional turmoil, with parents now facing the difficult task of informing their children about Trevor’s survival. Jonathan also extended condolences to Joshua’s family for their loss.
