AUBURN — A 5-year-old boy was still missing Thursday night, two days after he and his older brother went into the frigid, fast-flowing Androscoggin River.

Police suspended their search for the younger child about 6 p.m. Thursday. The search is expected to resume Friday morning.

The search so far has focused on the stretch of river between where the boy’s 9-year-old brother was rescued Tuesday evening and the rapids about half a mile downstream, according to Auburn Deputy Police Chief Jason Moen.

The younger boy fell into the river near Bonney Park in Auburn. The 9-year-old reportedly remained in critical condition Thursday night at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Moen said the commander of the state police dive team is expected to provide details Friday about the search efforts.

The identities of the boys were still being withheld Thursday at the request of the family, according to Moen.

The family recently moved to a home on Main Street in Auburn, and were having a picnic at Bonney Park, which is between Main Street and the river. The two brothers were playing near the river when the younger boy fell into the water shortly after 7 p.m. His brother tried to rescue him, but also fell in, according to police. Their 8-year-old sister and father also went into the water but could not reach the boys.

The father and daughter got back to shore and were not injured.

The 9-year-old was pulled out of the river by firefighters at about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday near 270 Riverside Drive behind Gagne & Sons Concrete Blocks. He was brought to shore in a canoe and taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. From there, he was flown by helicopter to the Portland hospital.

The family is new to the area, police said. On Monday, they had registered the 9-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister at Sherwood Heights Elementary School, according to Auburn Superintendent Katy Grondin.

The children were scheduled to begin classes Wednesday.

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