Twenty-seven-year-old Devendra Vyas, newly married, was among the occupants of the supercraft `Aukab' which returned to the jetty at the Gateway at 4.15 pm after an hour-long ride to the Elephanta Caves. After several joyriders had stepped off the boat, the ramp slipped off its edge from the boat when Vyas had stepped on it. Vyas and three others fell into the sea.

According to eyewitness Vinod Verma, the passengers sustaining minor injuries falling right into the four feet gap between the boat and the jetty platform.

The locals including a 12-year-old boy joined hands to fish out Vyas and three others while the boat authorities failed to come tot he rescue at all. Vyas was declared dead on admission at the St George's Hospital. His wife who was also with him however escaped unhurt.

The police and the fire brigade arrived at the scene muchlater, according to Verma. The Colaba police have arrested the driver (tandel) of the boat Wahid Ali Mukadam (50). However, when contacted officers at the Colaba Police station refused to give any information till late in the night while the Investigating Officer, PSI Makeswar was not available at the police station.