Killed by a train in 1862

[snowball]

Hi,
From his death certificate, I've just found out my ggg grandfather Francis/Frank Hudson, a shepherd, was "accidentally killed on the North Eastern railway by a locomotive engine on 1st February 1862". It happened at Fenwick Stead, a few miles south of Berwick. The inquest was held on 3rd Feb.

Obviously I'd like to find out more. I don't think the inquest records survive, but was hoping someone who had access to local newspaper archives might take a look? Maybe the Newcastle Chronicle or the Berwick Advertiser?
Many thanks
Rob

[2zpool]

Rather gruesome:  Newcastle Courant, Friday Feb 7 1862, issue 9763

SHOCKING DEATH - A little after eight o'clock on Saturday morning, while Frank Hudson, shepherd to Mr. Chisholm, farmer, Fenwick Steads, which lies about four miles north of Belford, was removing a number of sheep across the railway into another field, the line running though the farm, he was knocked down by the mail from the south.  His head was nearly severed from his body by the engine, and when he was removed from the rail life was extinct. The reason assigned for his task taking the sheep across the line at that time was, that he thought the train had passed, but the mail was twenty minutes late.  Hudson has left a widow and a large family.

Janis

[snowball]

Thanks Janis. Some good detail there!
Regards
Rob

[Michael Dixon]

 Just adding snippets to Janis's find......

 The awful accident happened just a wee bit inland from Holy Island
( aka Lindisfarne). Trains on the London><Edinburgh and beyond, line still hurtles through here about 23 times per day, in each direction.

 But cattle can cross the line via tunnels or bridges at various points.

~~~~~~~~-
 Coincidentally the Courant of 7 Feb 1862 contains other horrific tragedies.

 Page 8.  Mrs Mounsey, wife of a director of Bedlington Iron Works (first in world to manufacture malleable iron railway lines) when viewing with her children the working of some newly installed machinery, the bottom of her dress was catch in the machinery, which dragged her into the workings and killed her
( i will not repeat the details of her injuries) She was also pregnant.

I was born at Bebside Colliery village, which lay on the south bank of the River Blyth. The Ironworks which was derelict in my day, lay on the north bank. but made a good play ground.

~~~~~~~~--------

Also some details of deaths (there were 204 men and boys, in total) caused by cave-in in the New Hartley pit. The paper makes specific mention of casualty John Gallagher ( his brother Duncan and nephew James Tierney also died)

The rest of the paper is filled with lists of nationwide donations to the disaster fund .

Michael

[2zpool]

I can fix the place--called edit--Yes I noticed all the space about the Hartley pit disaster.  Had to read a bit about it as I have a relative (of sort) that was a victim.

Janis