Stabbed mother dies in car crash while driving herself to hospital

A mother-of-two has died after she crashed her car while trying to drive herself to the hospital after allegedly being stabbed.

Eleanor Barnfield, 47, was attacked at a retirement village in Bridgend, South Wales, on Monday morning.

Neighbours said that the housing association worker attempted to drive herself to the hospital, The Telegraph reported. However, she only managed to drive 300 yards before collapsing at the wheel and crashing into a wall on Coity Road.

She died in hospital on Monday afternoon.

Police have arrested a 61-year-old man from Bridgend on suspicion of murder following an investigation around Ger-y-Nant, which is owned by the Valleys to Coast housing association, where Ms Barnfield worked.

A statement from South Wales Police said: “Officers were called to Coity Road, Bridgend at around 12:43pm on Monday October 19, following a report of a road traffic collision, wherein a car had collided with a wall.

“Upon attendance, officers identified that the driver had sustained puncture wounds unrelated to the collision. The woman was conveyed to hospital where despite the best efforts of medical staff she later died.”

In a tribute issued through police, Ms Barnfield’s family said: “Mum was the kindest, most loving bravest person in the world.

“She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock.”

Chief Superintendent Jason Rees said: “Our thoughts remain firmly with Eleanor’s family. I want to assure the community that teams of detectives and specialist staff are investigating. We appreciate the patience and support of residents, especially those displaced following the incident. Local communities may notice an increased police presence as our investigation continues.”

Jo Oak, the chief executive of the Valleys to Coast housing association, said: “We are devastated by the tragic death of our colleague, Eleanor Barnfield.

“Eleanor was a much-valued member of the Valleys to Coast team, and her loss has been deeply felt by everyone who knew and worked alongside her.

“She made an important contribution to our organisation and to the communities we serve, and she will be remembered with great warmth and affection by her colleagues.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Eleanor’s family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. We are doing everything we can to support those affected by her loss.

“We continue to cooperate fully with South Wales Police and, out of respect for Eleanor’s family and the ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further on the circumstances of her death at this time.”

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service were called on Monday (19 October) at approximately 12:44pm, to reports of a road traffic collision on Coity Road, Bridgend.

“A Cymru High Acuity Response Unit arrived on scene seven minutes after the initial call at 12:51pm, with two emergency ambulances arriving to provide additional support at 13:07pm and 13:13pm.

“Advanced critical care support was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service who arrived in a Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.

“The patient was conveyed by road to hospital.

“We are aware that contradictory and misleading rumours regarding a delayed ambulance response have been circulating on social media.

“These are factually untrue and we would encourage members of the public not to speculate.”