SACO – A 12-year-old boy who fell into the Saco River last was seen dog-paddling before other youngsters he was with lost sight of him.

Rescue teams searched for seven hours for Raymond Rivera, a Saco boy who slipped on rocks and fell into the river near Saco Island shortly after noon Saturday.

The search was called off at sunset and was expected to be a recovery operation rather than a rescue effort when it resumed yesterday.

Marine Patrol Sgt. Rick LaFlamme said the length of time the boy had been in the 42-degree water made survival unlikely, but he did not rule out the possibility the boy may be found alive.