BETHEL — A local pilot escaped injury Wednesday evening when his powered parachute crashed in the Androscoggin River, an official said.

Maine Warden Service officer Norm Lewis said he was told John Mason of Bethel and Randy Autrey of Bethel were flying their powered parachutes about 7:15 p.m. when Autrey looked back and didn’t see Mason.

Autrey immediately turned around and found his flying companion in the river, Lewis said.

Mason was able to get to the riverbank and reportedly was unharmed. 

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and reportedly was to get a statement from Mason on Thursday.

The powered parachute was being retrieved from the river Wednesday evening. The aircraft is similar to a go-kart with a large propeller on the back hanging from a parachute.

Maine State Police assisted at the scene, along with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.