ANSON, Maine — A 72-year-old man from Florida has died after an airboat sank in North Anson Wednesday night.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Mark Henry, 72, of Fort Pierce was operating an airboat on the Kennebec River with passenger Matthew Sleeper, 63, of North Anson, according to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife spokesperson Mark Latti.
Latti said Sleeper had been working on the boat for Henry when Sleeper was asked to come along for a ride Wednesday night.
The boat took on water and sank when Henry reportedly adjusted its trim tabs, causing the boat to nose-dive into the river and throwing the two men overboard, Latti said.
Both men started to swim to shore, but Sleeper reportedly did not see Henry when he reached land.
Henry's body was retrieved by the North Anson Fire Department and was brought to the Biberson Funeral Home in Madison, Latti said.
The Madison Fire Department also responded to the scene.
The Maine Warden Service is investigating the incident.