A man in his 80s and another in his 60s sustained injuries, and were flown to Palmerston North hospital by rescue helicopter after the truck laden with gravel which they were operating became uncontrollable down a hill on a property near Tiraumea, east of Eketahuna.
The Philips search and rescue trust says it believes the truck, laden with gravel, was unable to be stopped and began gathering speed.
Some way down the hill, the enormity of the situation became clear to the passenger, and he jumped clear of the stricken rig, injuring his leg in the process.
The driver rode out the drama, eventually steering the vehicle off the formed track and onto farmland in an attempt to contain the speed.
Even after jumping “some metres” over a culvert the truck remained upright, although the driver also sustained injuries.
Both men were stabilised at the scene by the on-board para-medics before being airlifted to hospital.
The rescue helicopter was used due to the serious nature of the injuries and the considerable road distance to hospital, says the Philips Search and Rescue Trust.
