The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-30
Stepson Of w. K. Vanderbilt
Loses Life in Terrible
Accident1N Paris.
TIRE BURSTS A:NDtA.UTO
CRASHED INTO TREE
Explosion Set Machine Afirc and
Sands, Already Fatally Hurt
and Unable to Move, Was
Horribly Burned Chauf-
feur Not Seriously
Injured.

ARIS, July 29.-1n one OF the
most terrible automobile acci-
-' dents OF many years In France,
II @. Winthrop Sands. stepaon
OF W. K. Vanderbilt, was killed
this morning Just outside the grounds
OF Mr.. yanderbilt's beautiful country
seat, the Chateau st. Louis de Poissy,
twenty miles from Paris.
Mr.. Sands was driving his fifty
horsepower car along at terrific
clip. in order to reach the chateau.
where Mrs. Sands and her infant
daughter were staying. He had always
been known as reckless driver, and
as he had been delayed at railroad
crossings. he opened the throttle wide
as he approached the chateau grounds
Pinned Under Burning Car.
Almost Immediately q tire burst, and
Ing turtle. burying Mr.. Sands under
the forward part and pinning the
chauffeur. Pickins. to the ground. An
explosion followed, and In a moment
the car was in flames.
Peasants working in the adjoining
fields We're the only witnesses of the
accident They rushed to the rescue,
but fearing a. further explosion OF the
gasolene tank and deferred by the
sweep OF flames. they stood idly by, not
knowing how to give assistance to the
Injured men. Finally they managed
to raise the rear OF the car and re-
lease the chauffeur, both OF whose
feet had been held tight. A little
later, after beating down the fire,
they dragged out the torn. bleeding
and burned body of Sands.
Terrih1e TniurfA.
Help soon arrived from the chateau,
which is in the centre OF Mr.. Wander
bits great breeding farm. The two
injured men were carried to the house,
where 1t was found that Sands was
beyond the hope OF recovery. but that
the chauffeur was not seriously hurt
Fearing the effect on Mrs. Sands TIL,
servants concealed from her .tl1e gravity
OF the accident and persuaded her no
to enter the room where her dyinf
husband had been placed. "A docto,
summoned from Poissy arrived soor
afterward. but Mr.. Sands was beyond
mortal aid.
Never had be seen. the doctorssaid
such pitiful human wreck. The stuml
Of the leg had been burned to a crisp
the face and body we're black ant
SCARED by flames. In addition to hi.
lHternal lnJurles. MT. SandS'S right arm
and shoulder were broken. The ply
sician could only try to alleviate hi!
suffering with opiates. Several time,
the man regained consciousness ant
cried out in agony. his last words be
ing cry for water.
Wife Told of Tragedy.
Mrs. Sands was not informed at onct
of her husbands death, but William
Duke. trainer OF Mr.. Vanderbilt's rae
ling stable. advised him by telephone
and he and Mrs. Vanderbilt. accom-
panied by Stephen Sands. went to
Poissy by train, arriving there at $50
o'clock in the afternoon. All was owe
when they arrived.
Mrs. Vanderbilt broke the news t,
her daughter-in-law. who bore vi
bravely under the strain. Telegram
of coincidence began to arrive late I,
the afternoon, and a score of automo
lsbiles drove out from Paris. %
&c 1t was announced tonight that til,
funeral arrangements had not beer
completed. but the services will prob
ably be held in Paris, and the bod,
later taken to the United States fo
interment.