Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-30
G. Winthrop Sands Killed
10 Auto Accident.
Caught Under Heavy Car and
FeartuI|y Burnsd.
Worst Automobile Mlshap In France
In Many Years.

Paris, July 29.-In one of the most
terrible automobile accidents lis
France in many years. G. Winthrop
Sands, a step-son of w. K. Vanderbilt,
was killed this morning just outside
the grounds of Mr. anderbilt's beauti-
full country seat, the Chateau st.
Louis De Poissy, 20 miles from Paris
Mr.. Sands was driving his 5O-horse-
power car along at a terrific clip in an
attempt to reach the chateau, where
Mrs Sands and her infant daughter
were staying. He had always been
known as a reckless driver, and as he
had been delayed at a railroad cross
ing, he opened the throttle wide as he
approached the chateau grounds.
Almost Immediately tire burst and
the machine crashed into tree turn
ing turtle and burying Mr. Sands un.
der the forward part and pinning the
chauffeur, Pickins, to the ground. An
explosion followed and in moment
the car was in flames.
Peasants working in the adjoining
fields were the only witnesses to the
accident They rushed to the rescue,
but fearing a further explosion of the
sweep Of flames, they stood idly by, not
knowing how to give assistance to the
injured mon Finally they managed to
reach the rear of the car and release
the chauffeur both Of whose feet had
been held tight and little later. after
beating down the fire. they dragged
out the torn, bleeding and burned
body of Sands.
Help soon arrived from the chateau.
which is in the center of Mr.. Wander,
bits great breeding farm. The injured
men were carried to the house, where it
was found that Sands was beyond tho
hope Of recovery. but that the chauffeur
was not seriously injured. Pickins later
gave The Associated Press a graphic ac-
count of the accident
I'VE had left Deauville" he said. at :,
O'Clock in the morning, Mr. Sands hav
ing gone there Yesterday to see his two,
year-old daughter, who was there with
Mrs. Vanderbilt and his brother Stephen
Mr.. Sands was driving and we were going
at a rapid pace. probably q miles an
hour as he was anxious to reach the
chateau where Mrs. Sands and the baby
were
."The machine was 5O-horsepower car
and capable of great speed. Two en-
forced delays at railroad crossings had
somewhat annoyed Mr.. Sands and as we
approached the chateau grounds he asked
me the hour. 1t was exactly rs A. NJ
We're late he muttered. and at the
same time opened the throttle wider. Al.
most Immediately the right hand forward
tire blew UP. The machine skidded and
bumped. and then seemed to jump off the
road. II struck tree with such force
that 1t rehounded against another, liter
ally climbing up the trunk and then top
pling over backwards. imprisoning Mr.
Sands under the forward part.
"Only my feet were caught under the
rear portion of the car and | lost CON
seriousness for moment When I recov-
cred the wreck already was in flames,
the gasoline tank having exploded. From
where l lay I could see that Sands was
utterly helpless amid the burning wreck.
age. His right leg which was crushed
and almost severed. was bleeding pro-
fusely.
Mr.. Sands was groaning in agony. but
keeping his nerve. struggled. but 7
could not free myself. I turned as far as
! could and asked: Are you suffering
mnch?' And he answered: My God, hor-
ribly'
Il again lost consciousness and when 7
came to was lying on the roadside and
the peasants were tearing apart the hot.
twisted iron. In extricating Sands his
leg was left in the wreckage, separating
from the body as the man was dragged
out The frghtful sight will haunt me to
my diving day"
The servants. fearing the effect on Mrs
Sanis. concealed from her the gravity of
the accident and persuaded her not to en-
ter the room where her dying husband
had been placed. A doctor. summoned
from Poissy. arrived soon afterwards,
but Mr.. Sands was beyond mortal aid
The physician could only try to ale
viate his sufferings with opiates Several
times the man regained consciousness
and cried In agony. his last words being
a Cry for water.
Mrs Sands was not informed at once
or her husbands DEATH but William
Duke. trainer of Mr.. Vanderbilt's racing
stable. advised Mr.. Vanderbilt bv teie.
phone and he and Mrs. Vanderbilt. &C.
Cortpanied by Stephen Sands. went ia
Pofssy. All were overwhelmed. Mrs
vanderbilt broke the news to her daugh.
ter-in-law. who bore up bravely under
the strain. 1t was announced tonight
that the funeral arrangements had not
been completed. but that the service
probably would he held in Paris and the
body later shipped 10 the United States
for intement
As a result of the tragedy w X. Van
derbilt has withdrawn all his horses from
racing engagements.