Two men have been airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital after their truck, laden with gravel, sped out of control near Tiraumea.

The incident happened at a rural address east of Eketahuna yesterday afternoon.

Two men, aged in their 60s and 80s, were injured when their truck raced out of control going down a steep hill.

The passenger jumped clear of the vehicle, badly injuring his leg in the process.

Meanwhile, the driver rode out the drama, eventually steering the vehicle off a track and into farmland in an attempt to slow the truck.

He was injured when the truck jumped a culvert.

Local Fire Service and Police staff helped prepare a landing site for the helicopter which took the men to hospital.