''People in the party were experienced.''
The route, on Ben Omar station, provided ''extreme 4WD'' opportunities and was well used by hunters.
The group had the owner's permission to use the area.
Both the 89-year-old man and woman were ejected from the vehicle as it fell down the tussock-and-scree-covered slope about 11.20am, he said. Members of the party, who were retired doctors, made it to the victims before emergency services arrived at the scene.
Mr Woodbridge said those who attended to their friend had done an ''amazing job'', before the man was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.
He did not comment on the nature of the man's injuries but said police had ''concerns for him''.
Access to the site of the crash was difficult as the track leading to the ''very remote'' crash scene was ''tricky and treacherous'', but emergency services arrived within the hour, he said.
The community had rallied yesterday he said, providing support for members of the group as well as emergency services at the scene.
WorkSafe was informed of the incident but police were leading the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.