In a tragic incident, a man drowned in the Neuse River on Saturday, with emergency crews discovering his lifeless body after an extensive search. The incident took place near the Neuse River Greenway Trail off Raleigh Beach Road at a spot commonly known as Raleigh Beach.

Following the distress call, authorities swiftly arrived at the scene, instructing all individuals along the river to evacuate and swimmers to exit the water. The Wake County Sheriff's Office, accompanied by the Knightdale Fire Department, promptly initiated a five-hour search operation.

Regrettably, the identity of the deceased has not yet been released by the Wake County Sheriff's Office. Witnesses recounted that they saw the man swimming in the river when he suddenly submerged and failed to resurface.

Moises Maya, a resident in the neighborhood, expressed shock over the incident, saying, "I saw a couple of cops with binoculars looking down the river, and we drove by and everything was shut down. I've swam in the river. Some areas are deep. Some areas are shallow. It's unexpected. If you're going to go in there, just know, be safe, wear a life jacket, and know what you're getting into."

During the search operation, traffic along New Bern Avenue experienced delays as various emergency teams rallied together in their efforts to locate the missing individual.

Tragedies such as this serve as a somber reminder of the importance of water safety measures. As investigations continue and authorities carry out their procedures, it is crucial for residents and visitors to exercise caution and remain informed about the potential risks associated with swimming in open water.

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the victim, as they come to terms with this heartbreaking loss.