Brisbane River blackout driver thanks man who saved him

The Queensland man who blacked out before crashing his car into the Brisbane River has thanked his rescuer, saying he wouldn't be alive without him.

Shayne Wood told 9NEWS how he wound down his windows just moments before the crash, a move that ended up saving his life.

The father of three had just exited the Inner City Bypass at Albion, when he blacked out and crossed busy Kingsford Smith Drive.

His car then smashed through a fence and ended up in the river.

Mr Wood woke up as Lincoln Sherlock dived into the water to pull him from his sinking car.

"I could see he was there, he was saying 'come on mate, gotta get you out', he seemed in control," Mr Wood said.

"Then Lincoln pulled me out, next thing I can remember was swimming across the bonnet of my car.

"Without Lincoln there I don't even think I would've been able to undo my seatbelt."

Moments later a rowing coach in a dinghy pulled up and took the pair back to shore.

Mr Wood's family also had kind words for Mr Sherlock's bravery.

"He is an angel, literally is a lifesaver, he saved my dad," daughter Brittany said.

"(He is a) very, very special person and I just want them to know how thankful we are," wife Karen said.

Mr Wood said he hasn't had a chance to thank his saviour, but cannot wait to buy a beer for the man who saved his life.

"I don't know if Lincoln is the hugging kind of guy, but yeah, if he was I'd give him a hug," Mr Wood said.