The driver would have died at the scene if not for the two workmates who were able to perform vital first aid to keep him alive until paramedics arrived.

The man had been driving along Flinders St, North Wollongong, about 10.30am when his car crashed into a pole outside a Mazda dealership.

The man was unconscious by the time employees of the dealership were able to get to him.

Mechanics Adam Milani and Robert Charteris rushed out to help the driver.

Mr Charteris is the first aid officer for his workplace.

"The driver appeared to have had a heart attack and I went and checked him out," Mr Charteris said.

"I realised his heart wasn't beating and I removed him from the car and started first aid."

Mr Milani said when he was alerted to the situation his Army Reserve training kicked in.

"I saw Robert compressing his chest so I went and started breathing and giving him air," he said.

The pair continued the chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for about 10 minutes, when paramedics arrived.

Ambulance officers managed to restart the man's heart before taking him to hospital.

Ambulance district manager Terry Morrow had high praise for the pair.

"If the two young fellows from Mazda hadn't performed quick mouth-to-mouth and cardiac compressions the man would have died as a result of his heart attack," he said.

"We're very impressed with the actions at the scene."

Last night, the driver remained in a critical condition in Wollongong Hospital.