A devastated family launched a fundraising campaign for their teenage son, whom they believed had passed away in a car accident. However, a significant revelation was later shared by the family.
Police initially reported that Trevor Wynn, aged 17, had lost his life in a road collision in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on December 13. In response, his family initiated a GoFundMe page in preparation for his funeral. Surprisingly, three weeks post the tragic incident, Trevor regained consciousness from a coma and provided his identity to medical staff. The mistaken identification by South Yorkshire Police led to a remarkable update from Trevor’s family, informing donors that the teenager was indeed alive.
The authorities informed the family of the teenager, hailing from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, that he had purportedly passed away around 3 am, less than two weeks before Christmas. Plans were in place for his funeral, yet a significant turn of events unfolded.
Tragically, in the car accident where a silver Toyota Corolla veered off the road in Dinnington, South Yorkshire, 18-year-old Joshua Johnson and an unnamed 17-year-old female driver lost their lives. Initially, authorities believed Joshua was in a sedated state at the hospital, until Trevor awoke from his coma, revealing the mistaken identity.
In a surprising development on the GoFundMe page, a family spokesperson issued a statement saying, “IMPORTANT UPDATE – PLEASE READ. We want to openly and honestly address a recent confirmation that TJ is alive.”
Acknowledging the error made by the police in the initial identification, the statement aimed for transparency with all supporters. The focus now shifted towards aiding Trevor’s recovery and supporting his family with the financial burdens they are encountering during this challenging period.
The fundraising effort highlighted the necessity for medical treatment, rehabilitation, travel expenses, accommodation, and family support on Trevor’s journey to recovery. The update concluded by expressing gratitude for the continued support and love extended towards Trevor and his family.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane of South Yorkshire Police remarked, “This unforeseen revelation has undoubtedly shocked everyone, and we acknowledge the additional distress it may cause. We are providing support to Trevor and the families involved, engaging specialist agencies to offer assistance.” He further stated the decision to involve the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate the identification process post the road collision, ensuring such errors are not repeated.
Following the incident, an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while a 19-year-old was apprehended on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both individuals are currently on bail pending further investigations.
