Sometimes, it’s a small moment that completely turns a story upside down.
For one family, it was a confused question spoken from a hospital bed weeks after a devastating car crash.
When 17-year-old Trevor Wynn finally regained consciousness and asked medical staff, “Why are you calling me Josh?”, a horrifying truth began to surface—one that would shatter two families already living through unimaginable grief.
A Deadly Crash and a Fatal Assumption
The crash itself happened in the early hours of December 13, when a silver Toyota Corolla left the road and crashed on Todwick Road.
Inside the car were three teenagers.
The driver, 17-year-old Summer Louise Scott, lost her life at the scene.
Two passengers—Trevor Wynn, 17, and Joshua Johnson, 18—were both critically injured.
What followed was an extraordinary and deeply distressing error.
Police informed the families that Trevor had died, while Joshua had survived but was in a coma.
Based on that information, mourning began, funeral plans were quietly made, and floral tributes were laid—all while the truth remained hidden.
Families Grieving the Wrong Son
Believing their son had survived, Joshua’s family visited the unconscious teenager in hospital every day.
Because of the severity of his injuries and the physical similarities between the two boys, nothing immediately raised alarm bells.
They had no reason to question what they were told.
At the same time, Trevor’s family was preparing to bury their son.
Christmas passed under the weight of loss, with grief becoming their new reality—until Trevor opened his eyes.
The Moment the Truth Emerged
As Trevor became more alert, he began talking about his life—his family, his education, his background.
A friend visiting him noticed details that didn’t add up.
The boy in the bed didn’t seem to be Joshua at all.
That friend contacted Joshua’s parents, who then alerted police.
Formal identification checks were carried out, including forensic confirmation.
The unthinkable was finally confirmed: the identities had been switched.
Trevor was alive.
Joshua had died in the crash—three weeks earlier.
A Disturbing Twist in the Identification Process
In another painful revelation, it later emerged that both families had viewed bodies following the crash—each believing they were seeing their own child.
Trevor’s facial injuries and the boys’ similar appearances meant the mistake went unnoticed.
Joshua’s parents didn’t know Trevor personally, so there was no recognition issue.
They trusted the process.
As one source put it, “They had no reason to think it wasn’t their son.”
That trust has now been shattered.
Anger, Shock, and Unanswered Questions
The emotional toll has been enormous.
Families who had begun to grieve were suddenly told their child was alive.
Others who had been praying for recovery were forced to accept a death that had already happened weeks earlier.
Those close to both families have described the situation as “unbelievable,” “devastating,” and “disgusting.”
One friend summed it up simply: “There are so many unanswered questions.”
Tributes Pour In for Joshua Johnson
As the truth became public, tributes began flooding in for Joshua, remembered as fearless, kind, and full of life.
He had a deep love for stock car racing and competed across the UK.
Only months earlier, he had proudly passed his driving test.
Friends described him as someone who always made others smile.
A fundraising appeal for his funeral called him “one of the kindest, most caring lads you could ever meet,” praising his loyalty, energy, and love for life.
Messages of remembrance filled social media, with one friend writing simply, “Fly high brother.”
Remembering Summer Scott
The tragedy also claimed the life of the driver, 17-year-old Summer Scott.
Loved ones described her as warm, kind-hearted, and full of light.
Fundraising efforts were launched to help her family give her the farewell they believe she deserved, as they struggled to cope with a loss that came without warning.
Police Under Intense Scrutiny
South Yorkshire Police has now referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, acknowledging the serious impact of the error.
Senior officers admitted the mistake caused “huge shock” and “additional trauma” to the families and said they would cooperate fully with any investigation.
Local MP Jake Richard said the force faces serious questions about how such a failure happened and why safeguards didn’t prevent it.
Lives Changed Forever
For Trevor’s family, there is relief—but also emotional whiplash after weeks of believing he was gone.
For Joshua’s family, grief has arrived all at once, layered with anger, confusion, and heartbreak.
Children who were told Trevor had died must now be told he survived.
Parents who thought they were visiting a recovering son must now plan a funeral instead.
What Happens Next
Police investigations into the crash itself are ongoing, with two young men arrested and released on bail while inquiries continue.
Meanwhile, the IOPC will examine how the identification process went so catastrophically wrong—and whether changes can be made to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.
For now, two families are left trying to make sense of a nightmare that never should have happened.
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