The Unlimited Dusi's chairman Cameron Mackenzie has been involved in a gyrocopter accident, says a spokesman for the body, which organises the popular canoe marathon.
"He was in shock with bruises and cuts. They did not need medical attention. They went home," said Ray de Vries.
He said Mackenzie and another passenger went out on the gyrocopter to check how bad the hyancinth infestation was on the Dusi route.
"We have been having a problem with the weed hyacinth. He went to check how bad the weed was. The weed blocks the river up and it was getting worse," said De Vries.
He said sprayers were brought in to spray the hyacinth. Mackenzie wanted to check if the spraying was effective.
"The good news is the spraying was effective, but the plane lost power. He [Mackenzie] was forced to make an emergency landing which he did well." Mackenzie landed between a path and a bush. The gyrocopter was damaged.
The Unlimited Dusi takes place from February 13 to 19 in Pietermaritzburg.