Team-mates Charlotte Foster and Ellen Kirkwood were training together when they saw a car crash into a power pole about 12.15pm on Henley Rd.
The car "wrapped itself around" the concrete pole, which crumpled to the ground, breaking power lines.
"I just happened to be looking that way. It was so scary," Charlotte said.
The pair stopped rowing and screamed at their coach, Matt McGovern, who was biking alongside the river.
With only jandals on his feet, Mr McGovern "jumped over the wires" and helped the driver up.
"He was quite dazed. He was lucky to get out so easily," he said.
Constable Matthew Cunningham, of Mosgiel, said the 24-year-old Dunedin driver failed to take a corner, over-corrected and ended up hitting the pole.
The driver was taken to Dunedin Hospital with minor injuries and was "very lucky" to walk away from the accident.
Inquiries are continuing.
