The family of a young Nepalese man who went missing while swimming in the Murray River late yesterday continue to hold a vigil as they wait for news.
Bigul Pandit, 21, was swimming with friends at Noreuil Park in Albury, when he failed to resurface around 7:00pm last night.
A search of the water and surrounding area involving police, NSW Ambulance, and the Volunteer Rescue Association has so far failed to find any trace of the man.
Today his brother-in-law, Harry Adhikari, described the Charles Sturt University accounting student as a happy young man.
"He was so happy and very hardworking and very honest. He was a very young talented man," Mr Adhikari said.
"As a family, we are very sad … very sad."
He said it was Mr Pandit's first time swimming in the river.
Witness Paul Bratton, who was at the park at the time of the incident, said the group were enjoying themselves in the shallow water.
"They weren't even waist deep, they were swimming and standing there and had the football and were splashing each other," he said.
"One of the girls ran back up from the barbecue to the spot here, frantic and saying one of the guys has gone under water and they couldn't find him."
Search and Rescue Divers from the NSW Police are expected to arrive from Sydney to assist with the search later today.
Border Rescue Squad Captain Paul Marshall said they were searching around a kilometre stretch of the river but visibility in the water was poor.
"At the moment we are still hoping for the best, we always have to hold our hope," he said.
