A tourist from Sodepur died and at least 10 persons suffered injuries in two separate accidents that took place amid heavy showers in East Midnapore’s Digha and adjoining areas.

Around 11pm on Monday night, a bus and a private car collided, reportedly after one of the vehicles skidded on slush, on NH116B near Chandipur.

Sources said six passengers were grievously injured in the crash and had been admitted to Chandipur block hospital. No fatalities were reported.

“The highway is covered with mud running down from adjoining areas following heavy rain which is dangerous for driving. The driver might have not noticed it at night,” said a police officer.

In another incident, a 38-year-old businessman died when the vehicle he was driving rammed into an SUV on the same highway near Digha around 6am on Tuesday.

Jyoti Sarkar, who hailed from Sodepur, along with his two friends were driving home after a vacation in Digha. Sarkar was at the wheel of the car. The SUV was from Burdwan. Sarkar’s two friends and two other who were travelling in the SUV have suffered injuries,” said officer-in-charge (Ramnagar), Sourav Cheena.

“The injured are admitted to the local block hospital. Poor visibility amid heavy rainfall is said to have caused the accident. Sarkar’s body has been sent to Contai sub-divisional hospital for autopsy,” he added.