Ambulance Service Denies Claims in Fatal Crash Incident
The Welsh Ambulance Service has refuted rumors that a woman who died following a car crash had driven herself to the hospital due to lengthy wait times.
The Welsh Ambulance Service has refuted rumors that a woman who died after crashing her car into a wall, following what police described as "stab wounds," was driving because of ambulance wait times. Eleanor Barnfield, 47, died in hospital after police responded to the crash in Bridgend on Monday. Officers discovered she had sustained "puncture wounds unrelated to the collision," which are understood to have been from a stabbing.
A 61-year-old man from Bridgend has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
The ambulance service stated it was aware of "misleading rumors" circulating online, asserting that medical personnel were called to the incident on Coity Road at approximately 12:44 BST, with a response unit arriving seven minutes later. According to the service, two emergency ambulances arrived later to provide additional support at 13:07 and 13:13. They described the social media speculation as "contradictory" and "factually untrue," urging the public not to speculate.
The service also confirmed that "advanced critical care" was administered by the emergency medical retrieval and transfer service, which arrived by helicopter, before the patient was transported to the hospital by road.
South Wales Police announced the arrest on Tuesday following a "significant" police operation at Ger-y-Nant, a retirement housing complex near the crash site. Eleanor Barnfield was employed by the housing association Valleys to Coast, which manages the complex. Her family described her in a tribute as the "kindest, most loving, bravest person in the world," adding that she was their "rock" and will be "forever loved and missed deeply."
Jo Oak, chief executive of Valleys to Coast, stated that Barnfield was a "much-valued member" of the team and that the organization was "devastated" by her loss. Oak confirmed they would "continue to cooperate fully with South Wales Police." Police have thanked residents for their patience and support, noting that an "increased police presence" may be observed in the community as the investigation progresses.