BIDDEFORD — Rescue crews are searching for two people who are believed to be missing on the Saco River.

Lt. David Bourbeau, of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern New England in South Portland, said this morning that shortly after midnight, the USCG received a report from University of New England security officials, who said a man with a kayak approached two female students on campus and told them two kayakers were missing on the river.

However, Bourbeau said there’s still no credible evidence supporting that report.

“There’s still a lot of uncertainty with the case right now,” he said. “But we take every report seriously, so we’re assuming that it’s the truth.”

Bourbeau said one kayak has been found ”“ a blue, single-seat ocean kayak ”“ but officials haven’t been able to determine whose boat it is or if it has anything to do with the missing persons report.

Bourbeau said today the Coast Guard’s helicopter will be relieved by an aircraft, and the search will be expanded to include the Biddeford-Saco offshore area. The USCG currently has a 29-foot boat searching the waters near the mouth of the river, he said, and the Saco Fire Department as well as Maine Marine Patrol are also assisting in the search.

It is unclear who the two people are and whether they were in one or two kayaks when they were reported missing, said Bourbeau.

He said if anyone has information regarding kayakers who may have been in the Saco River or the surrounding waters last night, they should call the Coast Guard at 767-0303.

Bourbeau also said it’s important people realize that even though air temperatures are getting warmer, water temperatures remain around 40 degrees.

He said anyone who plans to kayak or boat needs to dress appropriately, wear a life jacket, carry a marine radio and notify others of their intentions.

— Staff Writer Angelo J. Verzoni can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].