Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-02
Two Women and Man Die as
Sedan Crashes Over Sea
Wall Into 23 Feet of Water
as Crowd Looks On.
LOCKED STEERING WHEEL
BLAMED FOR ACCIDENT
Efforts to Revive Trio Taken From
Submerged Car Fail-Spectators
in Boats Aid Police in Recover
ing Bodies From River-Survivor
in Hospital Due to Shock.

Shut within a sedan car as it
plunged over the sea-wall near
Hains Point about $40 o'clock
yesterday afternoon, three per-
sons were drowned in the wa
ters of Washington Channel and
a fourth, the driver, Armin A.
Kahler, 47-year-old navy yard
worker, narrowly escaped a SINH
lar death, under circumstances in
which fate played tragic and
freakish part.
A locked steering wheel that the
driver failed to unlock and that
was. consequently. disengaged
from the steering shaft is held
primarily responsible for the
tragedy which resulted in the
almost instant death of Mr.. and
Mrs. William Attwill, both go, of
1857 Harvard terrace and Mrs. Le-
more Kahler, 47. wife of the driver
of the car, whose address is 1888
North Capitol street.
Just before it took the plunge
into 23-foot depth Of water, the
car zigzagged across the grass, lit
orally squeezing its way between
two stout trees scarcely six feet
apart, Scraping the bark OF the
side of each. A difference of but
a few inches to either side would
have brought the car and its help
less occupants to a dead halt with
In IS feet or so of the sea-wall.
Within Is minutes after the accident
an four persons were pulled from the
water by rescuers, but emergency aid
by use OF a puimotor failed to restore
tire three victims They we're taken
almost Immediately 10 Emergency Hes
pital, but physicians said they undoubt-
edly we're dead before their arrival. Mr.
Kai1ler was uninjured, but was treated
At Emergency for severe shock.
Survivor In Hospital
The only survivor Of the tragedy was
ct q hospital last night awaiting the
findings of coroner's inquest, which
has been called for Tuesday morning at
1870 O'Clock He was not informed
of the death of his wife and two
friends until nearly two hours after his
arrival at the hospital Though Suf-
fering severely from this ordeal, Mr..
Kahler was fully conscious. He re-
ceiyed the news in dazed manner.
Physicians said he was running high
fever
The two-famiIy party had driven TO
Hams Point for a pleasure ride yester-
cav afternoon, and had parked the car
within a short distance OF the point
when ii plunged over ths wall, ABOUT
80 yards north of the tea house. Mr,
Kshler had purchased the car from
M AttwiJI only recently, il was learned
last night and had taken out drivers
permit Thursday the first permit ne
has ever received.
The car is equipped with lock
which makes the steering wheel nloYanIe
II, either direction without turning the
front wheels Mr. Kahler told the
police that he forgot TO unlock and thus
10 engage the steering wheel when the
PARTIES re-entered the car. He stepped
RI the gas ard the car snot aneso;
Entirely out Of control, 1t zis-zagged
across the plot OF grass between the
driveway and the water, careening IRON
side TO side. Spectators were astonisned
when il passed between the Two trees
instead Of hitting one.
KahIer evidently became too excited
when he found himself in this predica-
ynent to apply the emergency brakes or
snJt of The ignition either act OF Whlcn
probably would have averted the ois-
agter. Tne car was not going al great
speed. but bumped steadily forwarc as
ihe steering wheel kept turning iron
f6e 20 side
Beats Aid in Rescue.
All the windows in the seoan we're
fow,n at he time. hut III toppling INTO
,he water. they seemed 70 close AUTO
y,-4ftcallv. shutting of escape Robert
.Toy,es Of 1885 Sixth street, who was IN
one beat and Harry ID. Murray, 2Dia
New Hampshire avenue, lawyer. VINO
.sgs In q boat the, Iron DUKE, are
rTedjted by the police with pulling Mf
KshgeY 10 safety from the emerged
cev Mr Jones VINO also was In boat,
wag said TO have been the nrsI upon
the scene, :,
goroehoy or other. Kafllef was pulled
either through the smashed wino6nlelo
az the side door OF the SEDAN. linen
hogan frantic efforts 70 get 70 lne
other occupants. ,-,u
Alynoss unconscious, Mr.. Kahief
ioine6 heroicalIy Ii the rescue WORE.
Unable TO swim, Kahler nevertfieless
Sasn 10 t1dfe SDiiE tSnA1 'A'~| "@-
rater in his despsrate efforts 70 save
bjs wife and two companions. ne dlo
IN anybody could possibly have zone
,,1aer the circumstances. one of tnf
policemen saio
E0pes were furnished by adtoiats wha
pgtreted along the water bank, ana ~
sntx manner the inert bodies OF tht
stree victims were finally brought W tht
surface after about l5 minutes OF marc
x0rk When the harboF police arrived
she rescue had been about accomplished
By means OF ropes and graphing
chains. the submerged automobile nnaiiy
was brought 10 the surface, with tnf
yJndowg broken A wrecking machine
WAS called from the city and the cai
finally was pulled from the water aile
tnge6 away about T.i5 O'Clock.
PARK Policeman r. II. Toland, wis
was patroling his beat at that point
v1as an eyewitness. He notified Lieut.
"a Helms. night commander Of tht
nark police. who hagteneo 10 the scene
ksegngi1ile, the fire rescue squad viii
! ntIlnaotor nad arrived, and also ~
swnUIance from Emergency Hospital
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