A pall of gloom has descended on the middle-class Sharma family staying in Surya Kiran building on the Senapati Bapat Marg, Mahim. Vimal's father Anil, an automobile parts dealer, sat in a corner sobbing uncontrollably.

Vimal's uncle Kailash Sharma said on the lightning had left a deep scar on the child's chest. It appears to have entered from the front side and made an exit from the back leaving a mark behind as well.

The child was running to collect a plastic bag after picking shells on the beachfront near Hinduja Hospital when he was stuck by the lightning. Vimal fell lifeless on the spot much to the surprise of his parents who were with him.

According to eyewitnesses, Vimal was stuck by the same bolt of lightning which killed a 55-year-old man who was only as Gupta at DadarChowpatty.

Earlier in the day the Sharma family had visited a park near Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon and on their return decided to spend some time at Mahim Chowpatty. ``It was not Vimal's choice as he was scared of water and did not like swimming,'' said a relative adding, ``However, on Sunday he agreed to wade in the sea to collect some shells.''

A Std II student at Sarawati Mandir School, Mahim, Vimal was more keen on playing cricket and also excelled in drawing. He was to turn seven on October 26. Vimal is survived by a 12-year-old sister.