Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Brijesh Singh said Yash Shah (20) was at the wheel of the Ford Ikon. Five friends, all also college students and from Girgaum, were in the car when it crashed into the dumper around 6.30 am opposite the Taraporewala Aquarium near the Savitribai Phule Hostel.

Yash, Somil Gaddha (20), Bhavin Gandhi (19) and Nitesh Damania (17) died on the spot of head injuries along with Sundar Sahu (35), who was working at the rear of the dumper.

Two others, Umang Saraiya (17) and Aftab Mujavar (18), were rushed to hospital and are under observation.

According to the police, the car was speeding from the Mafatlal Hindu Bath towards the Air India building.

“The car was definitely being driven very fast and the driver did not even realise that a dumper was standing there. The car hit the dumper killing four youths and a civic worker who was at the rear of civic vehicle,” said Singh.

“It’s too premature to say if it’s a case of drunk driving. I don’t think the students were drunk and we can only give a confirmatory statement when the post-mortem reports are out,” Singh said. The police have registered a case of accident, he said.

“They were coming from their homes and their parents were aware that their children were out to take a spin at Marine Drive. I cannot say if they went for a New Year bash before that,” Singh said.

At the Saifee hospital in Charni Road, Medical Director Dr V P DeSa said Saraiya “did not have any major injuries and was in a stable condition”.

Mujavar, who was taken to the Hurkisondas Hospital, was in a state of shock. “The doctors have told us not to tell him about the death of his friends. We reached the hospital by 10.30 am,” said a relative who refused to be named.

Sahu’s grieving elder brother Punnu said, “Aaj naya saal karke main kaam pe nahi gaya. Par woh gaya aur dekho phir waapas hi nai aaya.”