Saturday 30 Aug 1845 (p. 2, col. 7-8) FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.-As the train which left Carlisle for Newcastle on Wednesday morning, at five o'clock, was nearing Hexham Station, about a quarter-past seven, an old woman, after having hung out some clothes to dry on the hedge, was observed to walk leisurely on to the line and gaze for some time at the train coming towards her, and then attempt to cross the rails, when the lamp in front of the engine knocked her down, and she was literally crushed to atoms. We understand she was a stranger in that neighbourhood, having gone there very recently to reside. FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT.-We regret to learn that an accident, resulting fatally, occurred on Tuesday night, on the Newcastle and North Shields Railway, the particulars of which, as far as we can gather, are as follows:-When the train, which left Newcastle at half-past nine o'clock, was proceeding at the usual pace, it came in contact with a man, apparently a labourer, but totally unconnected with the railway, between the Wallsend and Walker Stations, and knocked him down, nearly severing the legs from the body, and killing him on the spot. The unfortunate sufferer, it appears, had been trespassing on the line, and did not observe the engine till too late to escape. The body, which was sadly mutilated, was soon afterwards brought to the station-house at Newcastle, to be claimed by the relatives. No blame, we believe, is attachable to the engine-driver, as, owing to the darkness of the night and the position of the deceased, the melancholy occurrence was unavoidable. INQUESTS BEFORE W. LUMB, ESQ.-On Thursday, at Ginns, on view of the body of Patrick M'AVOY, miner, aged sixteen years, who on that day was crushed to death amongst some rollys, or trams, in Saltom Pit. It was supposed that the deceased had fallen, and becoming entangled amongst the trams, and thus lost his life. Verdict, "Accidental Death."-At Great Broughton, on Monday, on view of the body of William SKELTON, aged six years, who, whilst playing on the banks of the Derwent, on Saturday evening, fell into the water and was drowned. The deceased was carried down the river for the distance of between three and four miles, and was not found until Sunday morning, when the body was discovered in the coup hecking of Salmon Hall Pit.-Verdict, "Accidental Death." FATAL ACCIDENT.-Early on Wednesday morning week, an accident which was attended with loss of life, occurred at Bishopwearmouth Iron-works, under the following circumstances:-The Iron Works Company have lately purchased a quantity of old cannon, bombshells, &c., from the Board of Ordnance, for the purpose of being melted in the furnace as old metal. On the morning in question one of the shells had, contrary to orders, been put into the furnace whole, instead of being previously broken; it had contained part of a charge, and immediately exploded. The furnace was blown to atoms; and a boy, 15 years of age, named Wm. IRVING, who was employed at the works, was struck with the materials and killed upon the spot. Two of the workmen, named Joseph SHAW and Emanuel POLLARD, were also injured; but, we are happy to add they are in a fair way of recovery.-Sunderland Herald. WONDERFUL ESCAPE.-On the 10th instant, one of the workmen of Messrs. FOSSICK and HACKWORTH, Stockton-upon-Tees, named William MARK, was erecting the machinery of a new drop at Port Clarence, when a chain that was round a malleable iron shaft, weighing two tons, slipped from its place, and the shaft struck the platform of planks on which he was standing. He was jerked above the staith, high in the air, and then fell through and among the timbers, to which he clung with his hands, and was thus prevented from falling into the water (which was 25 feet deep). He was extricated by his fellow-workmen; and Mr. MORDU, medical gentleman, was called to his relief. He was found to be much bruised, but no bones were broken, nor were there any dislocations. One of his arms, Mr. MORDUE was of opinion, had been out of joint, and pulled in again by MARK, while catching at the planks. He lost all consciousness, he says, while flying in the air, and did not become sensible until some time afterwards. His comrades, and the crew of a vessel lying near the gears, fully expected that he would be dashed to pieces, and marvelled at his escape with life. He is now out of danger, and fast recovering.-Gateshead Observer.