Man in Bridgend charged with murder of woman who died after crash

Clifford Foster, 61, from Bridgend, has been charged with the murder of 47-year-old Eleanor Barnfield, a housing association employee, who died in hospital after a crash. Police said she had stab wounds not connected to the collision. The ambulance service has denied rumours that the woman was driving herself to hospital due to a long wait for help.

Sevara AzamovaFirst published on tafs uz 2 min read
Man in Bridgend charged with murder of woman who died after crash

The key facts

  • Clifford Foster, 61, has been charged with the murder of 47-year-old Eleanor Barnfield and will appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday.
  • Police reported stab wounds not connected to the crash on Coity Road in Bridgend on Monday.
  • The Welsh Ambulance Service denied rumours of a delay in help and said it had found no calls from Barnfield's phones.

Murder charge after fatal crash

Clifford Foster, 61, from Bridgend, has been charged with murder following the death of 47-year-old Eleanor Barnfield, who worked for the housing association Valleys to Coast. Police were called to a crash on Coity Road in Bridgend on Monday and found the woman had 'stab wounds not connected to the collision' — according to the BBC, these were knife wounds. Barnfield died in hospital. Foster was arrested on Tuesday during a 'significant' police operation at the Ger-y-Nant retirement complex, where he was reportedly detained. The complex is a few minutes' drive from the Princess of Wales Hospital, and Coity Road is the main road between them. Foster will appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Ambulance service denies rumours

Some media outlets reported that Barnfield had been driving herself to hospital when the crash occurred. The Welsh Ambulance Service (WAS) said 'misleading rumours' were circulating online, calling them 'contradictory' and 'factually incorrect', and denied claims that the woman had driven herself to hospital due to a long wait for medics. According to the service, the call about the crash came in at around 12:44 BST, a rapid response vehicle arrived seven minutes later, and two ambulances arrived at 13:07 and 13:13. Before the patient was transported to hospital, 'enhanced critical care' was provided by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, which arrived by helicopter. WAS also said that, based on initial checks, it had been unable to identify calls from Barnfield's phone numbers and is continuing to check whether calls were made by other means.

Reaction and tributes to the victim

Senior investigating officer Claire Lamerton said the case is not being investigated as a domestic incident, urged the public not to speculate as proceedings are active, and noted that Barnfield's loved ones are being supported by specialist officers. In a family statement on Wednesday, Eleanor was described as 'the kindest, most loving and bravest person in the world' and 'our rock'. Valleys to Coast chief executive Jo Oak called her a 'valued member' of the team and said the organisation is 'devastated' by the loss and will continue to fully cooperate with South Wales Police. Police thanked residents for their patience and warned of a possible 'increased police presence' during the investigation.

Eleanor stands by a waterfall. She has white hair, which is tied back, and wears a navy coat. She is smiling at the camera.Image source, Family photo
Image caption,

Police say Eleanor Barnfield

Floral tribute left at scene
Image caption,

Flowers left in tribute to Eleanor Barnfield who died earlier this week

Police officers outside a street. It is a housing estate.
Image caption,

Ger-y-Nant, a sheltered housing retirement complex, where a man was arrested

A close-up of a woman's hand typing on a computer keyboard in the dark against colourful lights in background. The keyboard is lit up.Family photosKing Charles is wearing a grey suit and black tie, and stood next to Queen Camilla.

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