Tributes have been paid to a teenager who died in a car crash – after police told his family he survived.
In a statement, Joshua Johnson’s family said they had been through an “unimaginable” ordeal.
The 18-year-old died following a collision in Rotherham on 13 December.
South Yorkshire Police (SYP) initially identified the victim as 17-year-old Trevor Wynn, alongside a teenage girl who was also killed in the collision on Todwick Road.
Mr Johnson, meanwhile, was under sedation in hospital, the force had said.
But now SYP has referred itself to the police watchdog after “information came to light” which revealed it was actually Mr Johnson who died, and Mr Wynn who remained in hospital.
“That information was, in fact, the patient waking up and saying, ‘I’m Trevor’,” Sky News correspondent Emma Birchley explained.
Further checks, including forensic testing, confirmed a mistake had been made.
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In a tribute released via police, Mr Johnson’s family said: “What we have been through and are continuing to go through is unimaginable.
“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 could understand how this went on for so long.”
Mr Johnson’s family said he was “a loveable, gentle giant”.
“Whilst he was 18 and exploring his independence, he was ever so genuine in his care for others – us, his brother, his grandparents, his extended family, and his many friends,” they added.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin McFarlane said the mix-up came as “a huge shock to everyone, and we recognise the additional trauma this may cause”.
He continued: “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).
“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 has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and a 19-year-old has also been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both remain on bail pending further enquiries.
