Kolkata: One person died and eight others sustained injuries after a private vehicle drove through a crowded marketplace in south Kolkata's Thakurpukur area on Sunday morning, according to the police.

The deceased has been identified as 63-year-old Aminur Rahman, a vegetable vendor. He was taken to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Another person is in critical condition, police said.

According to media reports quoting police sources, the driver, identified as Bangla television director Siddhant Das, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he drove his SUV into the busy market. The 35-year-old director was arrested at the scene.

As reported by Times of India, the crash occurred as Das was driving from Bakrahat towards Gariahat. He reportedly lost control of the vehicle while passing through Thakurpukur’s bustling market zone.

Police confirmed that the driver was drunk at the time of the incident. Officers found four bottles of liquor inside his vehicle.

Locals in the area reacted angrily, damaging the vehicle and pulling out Das, before assaulting him until the police arrived and intervened. Officers also arrested a woman who was travelling with Das in the car. Another woman, seated in the back, managed to escape, according to the police.

"The accident occurred around 9:30 am when the vehicle lost control in the overcrowded Thakurpukur Bazar on Bakrahat Road, knocking down nine pedestrians," the police said.

"The vehicle has been seized and will be sent for examination. The driver has been arrested and will be produced in court on Monday," the polcie added.

(with inputs from PTI)