Norwich — Reports of a missing rafter on the Shetucket River Thursday evening led to a search and eventual rescue of a man found in distress in the water in the area of the East Main Street bridge, police said.

Police said a man called in at 8:49 p.m. to report that his buddy, who had been drinking, had not returned after setting out in a raft several hours earlier near the Eighth Street Bridge in Greeneville.

Police sent officers out to search the Shetucket River and called in the city fire department to prepare for a possible water rescue.

Norwich Police Officer Christopher Chastang spotted the man, who was not on a raft, and was able to grab him and haul him onto the bank of the river, said Officer Greg McDonald.

The man was taken by American Ambulance for evaluation at The William W. Backus Hospital.