PHUKET: A young Norwegian woman is dead and her Canadian companion is critically ill in hospital after a motorcycle crash on Phuket early today.

Police say the woman, who was riding the motorcycle with the man as pillion, ran off the road into a tree on a steep descent in central Phuket.

The woman, aged 21, was killed instantly, said Captain Chana Suttimat of Tungtong Police Station.

The couple had been at Red Mountain Golf Club, Phuket's highest and newest 18-hole course, and were heading down towards the Loch Palm course when the motorcycle ran off the road and its rider hit a pole.

She was wearing a helmet, Captain Chana said.

Another couple on a second motorcycle is believed to have been riding with them back to Tinidee Hotel@Phuket, a new resort that is located close to both golf courses and specialises in golf holidays.

The Canadian man was initially taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City then transferred to Bangkok Hospital, Phuket, close by in Phuket City. He is reported to have a badly damaged spleen.

The woman's body is in Vachira Phuket. Phuketwan has been given her name but is waiting to hear that relatives have been notified before publishing it.

Earlier the report incorrectly stated that the woman was a Swede.