The search began around 1:00 p.m. near the Neuse River Greenway Trail near Loch Raven Parkway, the Wake County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
Witnesses told deputies a man was hanging out with his family along the river and decided to go into the water for a swim. They said moments later he went under and never resurfaced.
Multiple agencies from around Wake County assisted with the 5-hour search.
The man's identity has not been released at this time.
Water rescue underway on the Neuse River