The accident happened on Route 4026, which connects Phuket Airport to the island’s main artery, Thepkrasattri Rd, at 7am.
Police and rescue workers arrived to find a wrecked black Toyota Fortuner at the bottom of a five-metre-deep ditch after it had struck a roadside power pole.
The driver, Thawin Chaiponrit, 51, was trapped inside the vehicle.
Rescue workers used hydraulic cutters to free Mr Thawin and sped him to Thalang Hospital.
After five minutes of searching the undergrowth, rescue workers also found Mr Thawin’s severed left arm and rushed that to hospital also.
Iraqi tourists Mohammed Ali Alaa Hasan, 23, and Imran Shafiq, 32, escaped with only minor injuries, confirmed Lt Col Thanakarn Auchanaratsamee of the Sakoo Police.
“The vehicle was heading to Phuket International Airport,” Col Thanakarn said.
“When they arrived at the bend, the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the guardrail by the side of the road. The car then hit a power pole and flipped over down into the ditch,” he explained.
“At this stage we believe that the driver was not familiar with the road. Also, this area is well known for accidents. We have yet to question the driver,” Col Thanakarn added.
Col Thanakarn made no mention as to any investigation into whether or not Mr Thawin was working as an illegal taxi driver, as the Fortuner was not registered as a commercial passenger vehicle.
Col Thanakarn also did not postulate whether Mr Thawin was speeding or under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.