A family experienced a harrowing ordeal when they were mistakenly informed that their son had passed away, only to later learn that he was alive. South Yorkshire Police initially reported that Trevor Wynn, a 17-year-old, had succumbed to a tragic accident in Rotherham. However, it was revealed that Trevor was actually alive and undergoing treatment in a hospital after waking up from a coma and providing his identity details.
Despite surviving the crash, Trevor tragically lost two other teenagers in the incident. The fatal collision involved a silver Toyota Corolla traveling away from Dinnington, South Yorkshire, when it veered off the road. An 18-year-old named Joshua Johnson and an unnamed 17-year-old girl, who was driving, lost their lives in the accident. Initially, authorities believed that Joshua was the one receiving medical care, but it was later confirmed that it was Trevor.
Following new information, South Yorkshire Police conducted formal identification procedures to rectify the error. Trevor’s family, who had started a GoFundMe page under the impression that he had passed away, clarified the situation online. They acknowledged the mistaken identity by the police, expressing their focus on Trevor’s recovery and the financial challenges they are currently facing.
The family emphasized the long road to recovery ahead for Trevor, including medical treatment, rehabilitation, travel, accommodation, and other expenses. They expressed gratitude for the support received and highlighted the ongoing need for love and assistance during this difficult time.
Initially, a funeral was planned for Trevor, but it was halted upon discovering he was alive. Authorities have arrested an 18-year-old for suspected dangerous driving causing death and a 19-year-old for suspected obstruction of justice. Both individuals are currently on bail pending further investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane acknowledged the shock caused by the incident and assured support for Trevor and all affected families. He mentioned engaging specialist agencies to provide assistance and pledged cooperation with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to determine the cause of the identification error and prevent similar mistakes in the future.
