BURNHAM - The pilot and passenger of a helicopter that crashed on July 3 suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to a release from the Waldo County Sheriff's Office.

The Waldo County Dispatch Center, reportedly, received a call at 6:39 p.m. Wednesday that a helicopter had crashed into a heavily wooded area in Burnham approximately a quarter mile from Winnecook Road.

According to the release, the pilot, a 58-year-old man from Bowdoinham reported experiencing technical problems that caused the crash. The passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Unity College reportedly made it out of the woods to the road for help.

The helicopter was reportedly searching for bear population in the area. Unity College has been conducting studies on black bears since 2012. Police did not indicate whether this helicopter flight was related to the study.

Burnham Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department and Rescue and Unity Ambulance responded to the scene.

The occupants of the helicopter were transported to local hospitals with "serious but what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries," according to the release.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and conducted an investigation of the crash.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Waldo County Sheriff's Office Patrol Sergeant Dale Brown, who submitted the original report, said he was in the area with FAA officials that morning and noted that the crash site would have been difficult to locate if the occupants of the helicopter had been unable to get help.

Several local residents indicated the crash site could be seen from railroad tracks west of the northerly railroad crossing on Winnecook Road, however, PenBay Pilot found no conclusive indication of a crash in that area.

Brown confirmed that the woman reached the road by herself and said that the man had to be rescued by first responders.

"There was no way he was getting out by himself," Brown said.

As of Thursday afternoon, Brown said there had been no change in the pilot's condition.

"There's no way around it," Brown said. "He was in a helicopter that fell from the sky. He's in pretty tough shape."

Speaking on Friday, Chief Deputy Jeff Trafton said the woman was released from the hospital. The man is being treated at Maine Medical Center in Portland, he said.

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Ethan Andrews can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com