A 47-year-old care worker died after crashing her car while attempting to reach hospital following an alleged attack at a retirement complex in Bridgend. A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The woman, from North Cornelly in Bridgend, South Wales, has not yet been publicly named. She died in hospital after her vehicle struck a wall.
She had reportedly suffered serious injuries during an incident at the Ger-y-Nant retirement housing complex, where she was working.
Neighbours said the woman had been warned that an ambulance could take some time to arrive. She then made her way to her car alone in an effort to get urgent medical treatment.
Despite her severe injuries, she drove for around 300 yards before hitting a wall at approximately midday on Monday.
Paramedics attended the crash, but the woman was later pronounced dead.
South Wales Police described the lunchtime incident as “deeply distressing”. Officers said they discovered that the woman’s injuries were unrelated to the collision.
Later on Monday, officers carried out a major operation at the retirement complex and arrested a 61-year-old man.
The scene outside the Ger-y-Nant retirement home where a female carer was badly injured at work
Locals reported seeing a large police presence, including riot vans and armed officers, adding that residents were asked to “sign in and out” of their homes
South Wales Police said: “Officers were called to Coity Road, Bridgend, at around 12.43pm [on Monday] following a report of a road traffic collision in which 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 from North Cornelly, has died at hospital. Her family has been informed, although formal identification has yet to take place.
“Following a significant policing operation in the area of nearby Ger-y-Nant, a 61-year-old man from Bridgend has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.”
The retirement village consists of an apartment block containing 13 social housing flats for people aged over 60. It is managed by housing association Valleys to Coast.
A Valleys to Coast spokesperson 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.
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“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.”
Residents said the woman was alone when she was found in the car, just a few hundred yards from the property being searched by police.
Sue Thomas, who lives opposite the residential complex, paid tribute to the woman, saying she had “gone 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.’
He 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.