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A heartbroken mother and father were informed that their teenage son had survived a tragic accident, only for inept police to later reveal they had mistaken him for another victim.
South Yorkshire released a statement confirming that Trevor Wynn, 17, lost his life in a horrific crash alongside a 17-year-old girl on December 13.
The tragic accident occurred in Rotherham last monthCredit: Google
Joshua Johnson, 18, was believed to be a third teenager involved in the incident, who was under sedation in the hospital.
Families of both Trevor and Joshua were notified, with one set of parents believing their son had tragically passed away, and the other hoping for recovery for 22 days.
However, on Sunday, “new information surfaced” prompting further investigations, including forensic tests.
These tests confirmed that Trevor was the one receiving treatment in the hospital, while sadly, Joshua was the teen who had died.
The delay meant that Trevor’s family spent Christmas under the false belief that he had died, while Joshua’s loved ones were hopeful for his recovery.
South Yorkshire Police stated that the families and the surviving victim will receive support from specialized officers and additional services.
The police force has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane remarked: “This has understandably come as a tremendous shock to everyone involved, and we recognize the additional trauma this may cause.
“We are providing support to Trevor and all affected families and have engaged specialized agencies to assist in this matter.
“I have also offered to meet with both sets of parents, as I am sure they will have numerous questions, many of which we cannot answer at this time. However, we are fully committed to understanding how this occurred to ensure it does not happen again.
“We have decided to refer ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to evaluate our role in the identification processes that were followed after the traffic collision.
“We will fully cooperate with any subsequent investigation and will be guided by the IOPC on the next steps to determine how this occurred, and how we can prevent it from happening again in the future.”
An 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, while a 19-year-old was arrested for allegedly perverting the course of justice in connection with the crash.
Both individuals remain on bail while further inquiries are conducted.
The police force has referred itself to the IOPCCredit: Alamy
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the crash?
A tragic accident occurred involving three teenagers, resulting in the death of one and serious injuries to another.
What actions are being taken by the police?
The police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to review their identification processes and are providing support to the affected families.
Are there any arrests related to the incident?
Yes, an 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old has been arrested for allegedly perverting the course of justice.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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