Norwich - A state police dive team temporarily suspended their search for a missing kayaker at dusk on Monday, nearly a full day after a Norwich teenager disappeared into the waters of the Shetucket River.

Norwich police said the search was expected to continue today for 17-year-old Karl Joseph of Norwich.

The search began at 10:09 p.m. Sunday shortly after police received a report of a capsized kayak behind 751 N. Main St. The kayak was about 30 feet from shore when it capsized and the man went into the water.

Two bystanders attempted to rescue the kayaker, but were unsuccessful, police said.

Norwich police, the Norwich Fire Department, Yantic Fire Department and the Norwich Underwater Search and Rescue Team, comprised of trained divers from the Yantic and Taftville fire departments, joined a state police dive team at the scene. Taftville Fire Chief Timothy Jencks said because of the underwater hazards, including remains of a dam destroyed in a hurricane in 1938, the area is dangerous for divers, especially at night.

The kayak was found about 100 yards north of the Greeneville Dam.

Early Monday morning, relatives of the missing kayaker gathered at the scene. They could be heard wailing and moaning.

Police did not allow anyone to have access to the area of 751 N. Main Street, which is the site of the former 751 Club, a former metal replating plant and now a vacant brownfield.

The area is near the railroad tracks and some vacant homeless camps could be seen in the area.

A state police boat, equipped with sonar to search the bottom of the river, could be seen scouring the river much of the day.

Day Staff Writer Greg Smith contributed to this report.

i.larraneta@theday.com

Twitter: @larraneta