A teenage boy killed in a car crash – only for his parents to spend three weeks believing he was alive and in hospital after a police blunder – has been pictured for the first time.
The mix-up saw South Yorkshire Police tell 18-year-old Joshua Johnson’s family that he survived the collision in Rotherham early on December 13.
But he was killed in the crash alongside a teenage girl.
Trevor Wynn, 17, survived the smash but his parents spent the festive period planning his funeral after being told he had died.
Tributes have now been paid to Joshua following the confirmation of his death, with friends and relatives donating to a GoFundMe for the ‘incredible’ teenager.
Organiser Frances Parker wrote: ‘Josh was one of the kindest, most caring lads you could ever meet, always knowing how to make people smile no matter what they were going through.
‘Josh had a huge passion for racing and been around stockcars, that love for life and adrenaline reflected the person he was – fearless, loyal, and full of heart.
‘Together with his mum, dad, and brother, I want to come together to raise money to give Josh the send-off he truly deserves. One that honours the incredible person he was and the love he gave so freely.
‘Any support, no matter how small, means the world to us and helps us remember and celebrate a truly special soul who will never be forgotten.’
A GoFundMe originally launched for Trevor’s funeral costs had raised £1,000.
An update read: ‘We want to address something openly and honestly.
‘Following recent confirmation, it has now come to light that TJ is alive.
‘The police initially made a mistake and identified the wrong person, and we were informed incorrectly at the time. This has since been clarified, and we want to be completely transparent with everyone who has supported us.
‘Our focus now is on helping TJ recover and rehabilitate, and on supporting his family with the very real costs they are facing during this incredibly difficult time.’
The statement said funds would be repurposed to help with his medical costs and for family to be at his bedside.
It added: ‘TJ has been through a serious, life-changing situation.
‘All funds raised will go directly toward helping TJ move forward in life and supporting his family through this recovery process.
‘We understand this news may come as a shock, and we appreciate everyone’s patience, kindness, and continued support. Every single share, donation, and message has come from a place of love — and that love is still needed now more than ever.’
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said he didn’t have most of the answers that led to the mix up.
He said: ‘This has obviously come as a huge shock to everyone and we recognise the additional trauma this may cause.
‘We are supporting Trevor and all the families through this and have engaged specialist agencies to help provide that support.
‘I have also offered to meet with both sets of parents as I am sure they will have many questions, most of which we are not able to answer yet but we are absolutely committed to understanding how this happened so it cannot happen again.
‘We have taken the decision to refer ourselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to consider our role in the identification processes which were followed following the road traffic collision.
‘We will co-operate fully with any subsequent investigation and will be led by the IOPC on the next steps to determine how this happened, and how we can ensure this never happens again in the future.’
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 enquiries.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: ‘All of those involved have asked that we thank the public for their support but ask that they are now left in peace to process the future they now face.’
An IOPC spokesman said: ‘We are currently assessing a referral from South Yorkshire Police to determine whether an investigation is required.’
