A Salisbury man died Thursday night after drowning in High Rock Lake, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said Ted Alexander Gardner, 49, died after drowning while swimming in the lake.

Family members of Gardner told emergency personnel the man had gone into the water, swam out about 50 yards from the bank and called out, as if in distress, a news release stated.

The man went under, but never resurfaced. Family members subsequently called 911. Several fire departments, emergency responders and law enforcement responded to the call. A news release from the sheriff’s office said a deputy arrived at 11:45 p.m. The Millers Ferry Fire Department was already on scene, according to the news release.

Boats from the various agencies searched the lake from midnight to 7 a.m. Wednesday, when Gardner’s body was recovered.

Gardner lives in the Meadowbrook Community.