Police say Eleanor Barnfield "sustained puncture wounds unrelated to the collision" in Bridgend on Monday
Published22 October 2026, 11:37 BST
A man has been charged with murder after a woman who had suffered "stab wounds" died following a crash.
Housing association worker Eleanor Barnfield, 47, died in hospital after police were called to the crash in Bridgend on Monday, where they found she had "puncture wounds unrelated to the collision", which the BBC understands were sustained in a stabbing.
Clifford Foster, 61, from Bridgend, has been charged with murder and is due to appear at Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday.
The Welsh Ambulance Service (WAS) has denied Barnfield was driving because of ambulance wait times, saying it was aware of "misleading rumours" circulating online.
It said medics were called to the crash in Coity Road at about 12:44 BST and a response unit arrived seven minutes later.
In a statement issued later on Thursday, WAS said that from initial investigations it had been "unable to identify" any calls from Barnfield's phone numbers.
"Enquiries are ongoing to establish if any calls were received by other means," it added.
Reports in some media had claimed Eleanor had crashed her car while driving herself to hospital.
Ger-y-Nant retirement housing complex, where police arrested Foster on Tuesday, is a few minutes' drive from the Princess of Wales Hospital, with Coity Road the main road in between.
Senior Investigating Officer Claire Lamerton said her thoughts were with Barnfield's loved ones, who were being supported by specialist officers.
"This is not being investigated as a domestic incident, and I encourage the public to not speculate about the circumstances as court proceedings are now active," she said.
Flowers left in tribute to Eleanor Barnfield who died earlier this week
In a statement about the crash, the ambulance service said two emergency ambulances arrived after the response unit to provide additional support at 13:07 and 13:13.
It described the rumours on social media as "contradictory" and "factually untrue".
"We would encourage members of the public not to speculate," the service said.
It also confirmed that "advanced critical care" was delivered by the emergency medical retrieval and transfer service, which arrived by helicopter, before the patient was driven to hospital.
South Wales Police said it made the arrest on Tuesday after undergoing a "significant" police operation at Ger-y-Nant, near the crash.
Eleanor worked for the housing association Valleys to Coast, which runs the complex that provides accommodation for over-60s and consists of 13 flats.
Ger-y-Nant, a sheltered housing retirement complex, where a man was arrested
In a family tribute on Wednesday, Eleanor was described by her family as 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," the tribute added.
Jo Oak, chief executive of Valleys to Coast, said Eleanor was a "much-valued member" of the team and they were "devastated" by her loss.
Oak added the organisation would "continue to co-operate fully with South Wales Police".
The force thanked the patience and support of residents and said communities may notice an "increased police presence" as the investigation continues.
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