ACCIDENT— On Tuesday, a lad, named York, whilst engaged loading corn, was, unfortunately, knocked down and run over by a passing conveyance. The injuries the lad received were so serious that he had to be removed to the Infirmary.

Irchester—SERIOUS ACCIDENT—On Tuesday, Mr. John Barnes, of this village, was driving home from Rushden, having a piano in his cart, when, by some means or the other, he was thrown out of the vehicle, and so seriously injured that his life was despaired of.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT—On Good Friday a serious accident occurred at the Gas Works, by which two men named J. Ekins, of Rushden, and J. Saxby, of the Shorncliffe Iron-works, were severely burnt. A new holder is in the course of erection, and nearly completed, and the men were working at it with the intention of finishing it on Friday, when a valve was found to be slightly open, thereby admitting a small quantity of gas into the holder. As soon as this was known the valve was closed, and the men, who thought there was not sufficient gas in the holder to prevent them from going on with their labours, entered the holder and resumed work. After a short time it was found necessary to have a red-hot rivet put through a hole in the roof, where it was to be fastened. This immediately caused an explosion, and the result was that Saxby and Ekins who were inside at the time, were severely burnt about the hands and face, so much so that it was thought dangerous to move them. Saxby lies in a precarious condition.

Note: the annual gas report 1879 states the men were Ekins & Loseley

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE—On Tuesday an old man named Smith Wilmer attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. He has been ill for years, and has suffered from great depression of spirits. Considering the age of the sufferer the wound inflicted is of a serious character, but hopes are entertained that the rash act he has committed will not have a fatal termination. At present the would-be suicide is in a precarious condition, but he has the best medical treatment, and is carefully nursed.

RUSHDEN—Last Sunday, a bundle containing female wearing apparel was found in a pond in this village, under circumstances which gave rise to suspicion. The pond was emptied by the police, but nothing which could throw additional light on the subject was discovered.
[Not quite an accident!]

ACCIDENT—On Saturday last as one of the Midland trollies was returning from Higham to Irchester station with a heavy load and two horses, the thiller horse commenced kicking and displacing the breeching, became unmanageable. The driver was endeavouring to let off the trolley when the horse made a swerve and he lost his balance and fell, both wheels and the trolley passing over his leg, very much injuring the ankle and thigh. He was conveyed to the surgery of Mr. Crew, where his injuries were attended to by Mr. Croon, Mr. Crew's assistant, but the leg was so much swollen that it could not be ascertained what was the extent of the injuries. We have since heard, however, that no bones have been broken (although there was nearly three ton weight on the trolley), and that Percival, the man injured, is going on as well as could be expected.

RUSHDEN—Dilapidated Husbandry—On Sunday night, last, owing to the dilapidated state of a well-cover on the farm premises occupied by Mr. Thomas Laughton, at Rushden, a horse suddenly found itself in anything but a loose box, committing a sort of involuntary suicide. It is only fair to Mr. Laughton to add that he has only recently entered into occupation of the farm, and therefore cannot be held to blame for the dilapidated state of the well, although unfortunately he has to bear the loss.

Accident-On Wednesday evening Mr. Ebenezer Cox, of the New Inn, Rushden, and his brother of the Strode-road, in this town, were riding in a trap, when the horse bolted and in turning the corner of Winstanley-road, near Mr. Davidson’s shop, an upset occurred, resulting in both men being thrown out with considerable violence. We regret to state that Mr. E. Cox was rather seriously injured.

ACCIDENT—In consequence or the very dangerous state of the footpath near the residence of Mr. T. Sanders, between Higham Ferrers and Rushden, the Rushden postman, J. Seckington, fell on Saturday evening last and very seriously injured his knee.

ACCIDENT—On Monday last Mr. Andrew Groome, accompanied by his wife and child, was driving from Rushden to Northampton and was within three miles of his destination when the horse became unmanageable, and ultimately threw out the occupants of the vehicle. Fortunately, however, neither of them was hurt, save Mr. Groome receiving a slight injury to his ankle.

ACCIDENT—On Saturday last a young man named George Farey, son of Mr. Joseph Farey, went out with a party of others to gather nuts, and while getting over a stile slipped and fractured his knee. He was conveyed home on the following morning, and is progressing favourably.

PODINGTON—ACCIDENTS—On Friday last a lad named Joseph Bodington was engaged driving a dung cart on the Vicarage Farm, when passing through a gateway with a load the wheel caught the lad and knocked him down, and the wheel of the cart passed over his foot very badly crushing it. He was at once conveyed home where he is progressing, but very slowly. On Sunday afternoon a young gentleman from Rushden was passing through Hinwick on a bicycle when, coming down the hill by the Horseford, it caught against a stone and he was pitched off. He was picked up insensible by some friends and taken to the Wheat Sheaf Inn, where he was well cared for by the landlady, while his friends proceeded to Rushden to provide a conveyance to get him home. At 3.30 a horse and trap arrived. The poor fellow had by that time much revived, but he was dreadfully shaken and unable to set his foot to the ground.

ACCIDENT—On Thursday, the 3rd inst., as Mrs. R. Brightwell, aged 80 years, was walking across her house she caught her toe in the matting and fell against the drawers and fractured her hip. Mrs. Brightwell is the oldest Wesleyan in Rushden, and many years since, before there was a Wesleyan Chapel in Rushden, used to go to Higham Ferrers to worship. It is somewhat strange that Mrs. Brightwell's mother at the age of 84 years met with a similar accident.