A man is missing and feared drowned after trying to swim across a river to escape police on NSW’s north coast.

Officers stopped a group of men in Raleigh, south of Coffs Harbour, on Friday night and a 32-year-old fled, sparking a short foot chase.

The man jumped into the Bellinger River and tried to swim to the opposite bank.

It’s believed he did not make it and police and the State Emergency Service are trying to locate him.

A critical incident investigation is underway to review the conduct of the officers involved.