'Loving' mum, 47, dies after crashing car into wall following suspected stabbing
A family has paid tribute to a ‘most loving’ mother who died following a car crash after allegedly being stabbed.
Eleanor Barnfield, 47, died in hospital after her car collided with a wall in Bridgend, South Wales on Monday (19 October) at around 12.43pm.
But emergency responders quickly identified that Barnfield had injuries which were not sustained in the collision.
Police have said Barnfield had ‘puncture wounds’ that were not related to the crash.
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A 61-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder following an investigation around Ger-y-Nant, which is managed by the Valleys to Coast housing association, where Barnfield worked.
Barnfield’s devastated family have paid tribute following the tragedy.
In a statement shared via the police, the 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, of South Wales Police, asked anyone who had witnessed the incident or has relevant information to contact the force quoting reference number 2600342470.
He urged people not to speculate online about the circumstances of Barnfield’s death.
“Our thoughts remain firmly with Eleanor’s family,” Rees said.
“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.”
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We 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.”
Ger-y-Nant is a sheltered housing and retirement complex made up of 13 flats, which has non-resident management staff and accepts new residents aged 60 or over, according to an online profile of the facility.
Valleys to Coast housing association chief executive Jo Oak 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 South Wales Police spokesperson said: “We were called at around 12:43pm on Monday October 19 following a report of a road traffic collision, where a car had collided with a wall
“Upon attendance, officers identified that the driver had sustained injuries unrelated to the collision.
“Despite medical attention, the driver, a 47-year-old woman has died at hospital.”
Claire Reid