Couple drowns off Bandra bandstand

MUMBAI: A young couple, Kishore Ishwar Chandanshive, 23, and Prachi, in her early twenties, drowned after the incoming tide trapped them on the rocks off Bandra bandstand, behind Sea Rock Hotel.

Moments before the couple were consumed by the tide, police constables AD Karpe and SN Tapal, with the aid of locals, managed to throw a rope across to them. Inspector Arvind Sawant said, “The girl was able to grab the rope for a few moments, but the drowning youth, who was hanging on to her, proved too much of a weight and she let go.”

Karpe, who spotted two other couples similarly stranded on rocks further away, managed to save them. “He directed the couples, Ganesh Murali-Veni Nikam and Nilesh Patni-Swati Bakra, on to higher rock formations within the sea. Then he entered the raging waters and helped them to safety,” said Sawant.

The couples were traumatised after the incident and more worried about the repercussions at home if their parents found out.

The couple who drowned were from Chunabatti. Additional commissioner  Arch-ana Tyagi said, “My worst fears have come true. Only three months ago, I had told the police to keep a strict watch, despite which today’s incident took place.”