A police error led to a tragic mix-up involving two families, who were misinformed about the fate of their sons after a car accident. One family was mistakenly told that their son had died, while another was informed that their son was critically injured.

This appalling mistake left Joshua Johnson’s family, who believed their 18-year-old son was sedated in the hospital, grieving over what they thought was his death during the holiday season. In a cruel twist, they later learned that he had actually died in the crash.

Meanwhile, the family of 17-year-old Trevor Wynn spent three agonizing weeks mourning his supposed death, only to discover that he was alive the entire time.

The shocking error came to light when Trevor regained consciousness on Sunday and identified himself to astonished hospital staff, saying, “I’m Trevor.”

Joshua’s devastated parents were then informed of the tragic mistake, confirming their worst fears when they realized the young man identified as Trevor was not their son.

Today it was confirmed that after new forensic tests, the body was wrongly identified after the crash and was in fact Joshua’s. 

The police watchdog is investigating the unthinkable mistake made by officers following the collision near Rotherham on December 13.

In a grovelling apology, a police chief said he had offered to meet both sets of parents to try to give them an explanation – and pledged to make sure such an unforgivable error ‘cannot happen again’.

Police originally said Trevor Wynn, 17, pictured, was killed when the Toyota in which he was a passenger left the road and struck a tree on December 13 – but today revealed that he survived and is in hospital, and that the boy who died was in fact 18-year-old Joshua Johnson

The vehicle left the carriageway between Dinnington and Todwick, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, pictured

After the incident, South Yorkshire Police announced that Trevor had been pronounced dead at the scene.

A second teenager, a girl also aged 17, also tragically died when the Toyota in which they were travelling left the road and struck a tree, while a third teen was taken to hospital.

However the force today revealed that on Sunday, ‘concerns were raised’ about the identities of the victims of the crash. 

A new formal identification process took place, including forensics, which established that Trevor Wynn was in fact in hospital receiving treatment.

It meant the family of Joshua – who had been told he was under sedation in hospital being treated for his injuries – had to be informed that he was in reality the boy who had died.

Meanwhile Trevor’s family were told he is actually still alive and has been in hospital since the collision. 

Today South Yorkshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane 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.

South Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said the force had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) since identifying the error

‘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.’

At the time police said their vehicle left the carriageway between Dinnington and Todwick.

Following the double tragedy, friends of Trevor – known as TJ – launched an online fundraiser to help his grieving family pay for his funeral.

On the page, the organiser wrote: ‘TJ was the most caring lad with a soft soul. 

‘He always put others first and loved nothing more than making people smile. 

‘Anyone who knew TJ knew how kind and genuine he truly was.’

At the time, Sergeant John Taylor from the force’s serious collisions unit said: ‘This is a tragic collision in which two young people have lost their lives with a further person in a critical condition, and we are committed to finding answers for their families.

‘Our enquiries are continuing, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have footage of the car prior to the collision.’

The families and surviving victim will be offered support from specialist officers and additional specialist services, the force said today.

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.