Family's 'unimaginable' ordeal after crash ID error

The family of a teenager who died in a car crash have described their "unimaginable" ordeal after being mistakenly told their son had survived.

South Yorkshire Police believed Trevor "TJ" Wynn, 17, had died alongside Summer Louise Scott, 17, in a collision near Rotherham on 13 December, while fellow passenger Joshua Johnson, 18, was seriously injured.

However, police said "information came to light" on Sunday which confirmed it was actually Joshua who had died alongside Summer, with Trevor left seriously injured.

Jonathan Stoner, who had been helping to raise funds for Trevor's funeral, said the error was discovered after he regained consciousness and said his name and date of birth.

In a statement, Joshua's family said: "From the moment we were told about the collision in December, ourselves and many loved ones have spent hours in hospital with who we now know to be Trevor.

"We never wanted him to be alone. Only those we shared this time with could understand how this went on for so long."

The collision happened on Todwick Road, between Dinnington and Todwick, in the early hours of the morning when a silver Toyota Corolla crashed off the road.

Stoner, who organised a charity boxing event to help cover Trevor's funeral expenses in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, said Trevor's family called him after the event had been held.

"They rung me and said, 'sit down', so I sat down.

"They said, 'TJ's not dead' - I didn't know what to say."

An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and a 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Both remain on bail pending further inquiries, police said on Wednesday.

Stoner said: "How do you even come to terms with that?

"You've had to tell all your family, all the grandkids, that TJ's passed away.

"Now how are you going to go up to them kids' faces and tell them he's alive?"

He continued: "Do you tell them in happiness? Because he's still in a bad place, he's not fully out of it yet."

Stoner, who runs Ignite Strength and Fitness, has pledged to hold a further fundraising event for the family of Joshua.

Joshua's parents described him as a "loveable, gentle giant" who was "ever so genuine in his care for others".

They said they would treasure memories made while travelling and stock car racing, an activity they said their son was passionate about.

"Through stock car racing, we've built a massive circle of friends and we are so very thankful for the support they and others have shown us in the last few weeks and days," his parents said.

"Neither us nor Josh's brother can imagine life without him, and as we adjust to this new world and only just begin our journey with grief, we ask that our privacy is respected."

In a statement issued on Tuesday, South Yorkshire Police said "concerns" had been raised about the identities of those killed in the crash.

A spokesperson said "information came to light" on Sunday which prompted "further formal identification processes, including forensics, to be undertaken" and resulted in the mistake being identified.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said he had offered to meet with both sets of parents to discuss the matter.

He said: "This has obviously come as a huge shock to everyone and we recognise the additional trauma this may cause."

The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) since identifying the error.

The IOPC said it was assessing the referral to determine whether an investigation was required.

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