Mother-of-two, 47, dies after being stabbed in retirement village and crashing as she desperately tried to drive herself to hospital

A mother-of-two has died after she was stabbed in a retirement village before crashing her car into a wall on the way to hospital. 

Eleanor Barnfield, 47, was severely injured and bleeding after being attacked at work when she got into her car in Bridgend, South Wales, on Monday morning. 

She managed to drive a short distance before collapsing at the wheel and crashing into a wall. 

Paramedics arrived at the scene but realised the female carer had other injuries unrelated to the collision.

Ms Barnfield, from North Cornelly in Bridgend, was taken to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Paying tribute, her family described her as the 'kindest, most loving, bravest person in the world'.

They added: 'She meant everything to us and will be forever loved and missed deeply by her devoted family and friends. She was our rock.'

The incident, which reportedly left locals in Bridgend 'shaken', took place while the carer was at work at the Ger-y-Nant retirement village complex. 

Eleanor Barnfield had been trying to reach the Princess of Wales Hospital a mile-and-a-half away, but crashed after travelling 300 yards

Emergency services are pictured at the scene of the crash in South Wales. The incident reportedly left locals 'shaken'

Police raced to Ger-y-Nant where Ms Barnfield was found inside her car with 'puncture wounds', and discovered the alleged knifeman barricaded in a room. 

Armed police arrived as residents were evacuated and reportedly picked up by their relatives, with the scene cordoned off. 

A 61-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder later in the day, following what police described as a 'deeply distressing' incident. 

Ms Barnfield had been trying to reach the Princess of Wales Hospital a mile-and-a-half away, but crashed after 300 yards and collided into a wall at around midday. 

Neighbours claimed she was told an ambulance would be a long wait, while it was also reported she made a 999 call at 11.25am which cut out shortly after she crashed. 

The Welsh Ambulance Service said they are investigating whether they received a 999 call, but denied reports that the victim was told there would be a three-hour delay.

The service added multiple 999 calls were received at the time of the incident and inquiries were ongoing to discover if one was made by the stabbing victim.

A spokesman said: 'Inquiries are ongoing for this incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.' 

The scene outside the Ger-y-Nant retirement home where Eleanor Barnfield was badly injured at work 

Forensics are pictured at the scene. Locals also reported seeing riot vans and armed officers, with some residents saying they were asked to 'sign in and out' of their homes

Average 'red calls' – immediately life-threatening – in Wales take nine minutes and 24 seconds, falling significantly outside the Government's 6-8 minute target range. 

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.

'The woman has been formally identified as 47-year-old Eleanor Barnfield from Bridgend who worked for Valleys to Coast. Eleanor's family continues to be supported by specially trained family liaison officers.

'Following a significant policing operation around Ger-y-Nant which is a Valleys to Coast property, a 61-year-old man from Bridgend has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.'

The retirement village apartment block features 13 social housing flats for people over the age of 60 and is run by Valleys to Coast housing association – whose motto is 'providing homes where people feel safe and happy'.

Valleys to Coast said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident in Bridgend on October 19 and can confirm that a member of our team was involved. 

'Our thoughts are with our colleague's family, friends and everyone affected by this. We are working closely with South Wales Police and cooperating fully with their ongoing investigation.' 

Locals said there was a large police presence, including armed officers and a SWAT team. Police described the incident as 'deeply distressing'

Locals said Ms Barnfield was alone when she was found in the car – only a few hundred yards away from the house being searched by police.

Armed police were brought in and residents were evacuated before police closed in.

Witnesses said officers in stab-proof vests got in through an open window and overpowered the 61-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Neighbour Sue Thomas, who lives opposite the residential home, paid tribute to Ms Barnfield who 'went to work and did not come home'. 

She said: 'The residents are back but people going in have to sign in and out.

'You don't expect to go to work and not come home. I feel for her family.'

Gavin Owen, who lives near the scene, watched as SWAT teams of armed cops swooped outside his house.

He said: 'There was police, everything was cordoned off. So I got scared and worried, and didn't know what was going on.

'When I got home, at the bottom of my street, by the garage, it was cordoned off.

'I had to tell them where I lived and they had to escort me to my front door. They said we're going to have to sign in and out if we want to come in or leave.'

Mr Owen added: 'We had people coming to interview us, asking us for ring doorcam footage. And gradually it then expanded, with standard police officers, then men in suits, and a riot team and then a SWAT team.

'They had ladders up, cable ties going on the roof, it was just insane.'

Chief Superintendent Jason Rees said: 'This is a deeply distressing incident, and our thoughts are with the victim's family, and everyone affected.

'We thank the local community for their support, which has resulted in an arrest with no further injuries sustained.

'We thank those displaced from their homes overnight for their co-operation at a worrying time as we support them in returning home.

'We thank the local community for their co-operation as our investigation continues.'

Police appealed for anyone with information or footage on the incident to contact the force.