According to the Valsad rural police, who fished out their bodies, Raghubhai Shukarbhai Koli (Patel), 35, the owner of the well, his friend Gandabhai Durlabhbhai Patel, 32, both residents of Maalwan village and Karsanbhai Manilal Patel (28), a resident of Ponsri village of Gandevi taluka, died after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from the water-pumping motor.

According to eye-witnesses, when Koli entered the well to repair the motor, he slipped off the small platform built to lodge the motor and fell into the water. When his friend Gandabhai, in an attempt to save him, entered the well, he too slipped into the water. When Karsanbhai entered the well to save the duo he too slipped and met the same fate.

The police, who later took the bodies to the Valsad Civil Hospital -- where doctors conducted post mortems -- said that all three died of asphyxiation. The bodies were later handed over to the families. Cases have been registered under sections 174 of the CrPC.