A man and a woman believed to be in their 70s have been taken to hospital in a critical condition after their car crashed through a protective barrier and landed on Maroubra Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

The car had been travelling on Marine Parade, near the intersection with Maroubra Road, before dropping five to seven metres on to the sand, leaving the front section and windshield smashed.

A car that crashed through the railings lies wrecked on Maroubra Beach. Credit:Randwick City Council

The female driver was placed in an induced coma with spinal and chest injuries, and was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital. The male passenger was trapped in the vehicle before rescue crews freed him, and he was flown to the same hospital with injuries to his chest, head and lower limbs.

A spokesperson for Ambulance NSW said the pair were "lucky to be alive".