A 54-year-old shed hand who assaulted two firefighters while they attended a car crash near Cromwell has appeared in the Alexandra District Court.

Judge Kevin Phillips remanded Mathew Hill Tamakehu, 54, of Alexandra, for sentence in February so restorative justice meetings could be held.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Penny Stratford said Tamakehu was the passenger in a motor vehicle that crashed in the Kawarau Gorge at 9.30pm, on November 11.

The group had been drinking since around 2pm that day and left Alexandra at 8pm, intending to drive to Queenstown. About 1km north of Roaring Meg, the driver lost control and crashed into a barrier.

"He walked away from the crash but two others were severely injured and emergency services were called to the scene."

The front seat passenger was trapped and the Cromwell Fire Brigade arrived to provide care, but were obstructed.

Tamakehu was sitting in the driver's seat hindering their help and became abusive. He started swinging punches catching one firefighter in the ribs and another on the chin, she said.

He had to be restrained until police arrived.

The fire officers did not receive long-lasting injuries or pain.