An American expat was critically injured in a horror road crash in Thailand.

Craig Bradley Shantz, 48, was driving his Ford Ranger pick-up truck and approaching a junction in Phuket when he veered off the road and smashed into an electric pole on the median strip on July 3.

Craig staggered out of his seat breathing heavily and fell on the grass next to his damaged truck with its front part crumpled.

Kathu District police and medics found him in a weakened state baking under the sun. He was given first aid as he experienced chest tightness following the collision.

He was then taken to the Vachir Phuket Hospital on an ambulance, but lost consciousness during transit. Medical staff administered CPR when they found his pulse weakening.

Kathu police said they were investigating the cause of the accident.