Friends and family continue to scour the banks of the Highwood River for any signs of a man who disappeared in the fast flowing water on the weekend.

Justin McNeil, 19, was camping with friends near Nature's Hideaway Campground east of Okotoks on Sunday evening when he slipped into the water.

“All we heard was help, help, help and he was going under and he was trying to swim,” said witness Dawna Simpson.

It is believed that he was then dragged under by the current and so far a search for him has turned up empty.

“I think there is a good potential that he could have drowned,” said RCMP Cpl. Sharon Franks.

It is not clear how McNeil ended up in the water.

RCMP says he was sucked under by the strong current while swimming, but friends told CTV News that he wasn't a good swimmer and wouldn't have gone in the water willingly.

Family says they think he slipped and those who were there when it happened say it was an accident.

“He was by the edge, like right by the water and he walked in and the current came and just swept him off his feet,” said Simpson.

Friends and family have been searching the area for the missing man ever since but so far he has not been located.

They say they are upset that there doesn’t appear to be an active search underway by authorities.

“I am very hopeful right now because even being out here yesterday, was almost like he still needed help. I felt like it’s getting late we need help and we didn’t have it” said Sheila MacLean, Justin’s mother.

“I think it’s crap. They’re not doing their job properly. They should have been out here day and night doing what they could’ve because he could’ve been found already if they took the proper techniques,” said Melanie Murrin, Justin’s cousin.

RCMP officers and Okotoks and Foothills Fire Departments responded to search the area after receiving the 911 call on Sunday and say HAWCS attended as well with extensive patrols of the area.

RCMP put a drone up in the air on Tuesday and family and friends were out again at first light searching the area.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Okotoks RCMP at 403.938.4202.

(With files from Jamie Mauracher)