While training for the olympics, the Women's Eight rowing crew collided with local masters rower, Hugo Wunzi, who was in a single scull boat as they both negotiated a narrow part of the river.

Mr Wunzi fell in the water and was taken to hospital to prevent the onset of hypothermia.

Queenslander Sally Kehoe who was rowing in the crew's bow seat received a knock to the back with an oar.

Women's Eight head coach Lyall McCarthy said that the incident was a freak accident and no one was to blame.

``The girls were approaching the ``narrows'' which is a part of the river no more than 10 metres wide,'' she said.

``I had dropped back about 200 metres to give three New Zealand crews some clean water and not interrupt their training session.

``A local sculler was approaching from the opposite direction but both he and the girls were visionless.

He was collected by an oar and Sally also received a knock to the back. She didn't need to go to hospital but is being checked out by the physio as a precaution.''

David Polglase from Rowing Australia said Mr Wunzi was suffering from mild hypothermia but in good spirits. He also said Ms Kehoe attained bruising but is fine and no damage has been confirmed. He said she will rejoin her Olympic training in a couple of days.