A search for a missing kayaker was suspended late Thursday night after divers, police officers, firefighters and game wardens were unable to find the boy.
Sgt. Tom Hale of the Maine Marine Patrol said the boy, who is believed to be 16 years old, was paddling with another boy under the Allen Avenue bridge in Falmouth when their kayak capsized in the Presumpscot River.
The 16-year-old was not wearing a life jacket, but his companion was. That boy made it to shore safely, Hale said.
Hale said the search effort has turned into a recovery mission that was to resume at first light Friday morning. He did not have the boy’s name.
Hale said authorities were notified around 6:30 p.m. that a tandem kayak carrying two boys had capsized. Crews and boats from the Maine Marine Patrol, the Maine Warden Service, the state police dive team, the Falmouth harbormaster, the Falmouth Fire Department and Falmouth Police Department arrived around 7 p.m., but were unable to find the missing kayaker.
The search was suspended around 10:30 p.m.
Hale said the kayakers were accompanied by a third boy, who stayed ashore. The three drove to Falmouth.
Hale said the currents are strong in that section of the Presumpscot River.
Both ends of Allen Avenue Extension, which connects Falmouth and Portland, were shut down during the search operation near Walton Park.
Walton Park is on the north side of Allen Avenue Extension. It has a parking lot with space for 15 vehicles. The 4.4-acre park is adjacent to the Presumpscot and has a trail that leads to the water’s edge.
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