An Alaskan couple who knocked on the door of their son’s long-time girlfriend to tell her he’d been killed in a car crash were stunned when he answered the door.

Karen and Jay Priest had been told by Alaskan police that their 29-year-old son Justin had been killed in the crash.

Karen Priest said there were no words to describe their reaction.

Her husband started sobbing and she said she was in shock.

Justin Priest said he was about to let out his nine-week-old puppy and was near the door at 5.30am on Thursday when his parents and brother knocked. They started screaming when he opened the door.

He said his thoughts were with the other family who lost a son in the accident.

Alaskan police have apologised for the error.