Dr. Soma shares essential Memorial Day water safety tips for families
As families head into the Memorial Day weekend, Dr. Gauthama Soma, an expert in pediatric emergency medicine and a mother herself, shares essential advice on water safety. She emphasizes the importance of “touch supervision” for children around water, pointing out that drowning often occurs without noise and that such tragic accidents are largely preventable. Dr. Soma also recommends that parents ensure their children wear life vests approved by the Coast Guard and encourages them to learn CPR.
Tragically, a 12-year-old boy died during a school rafting trip in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, according to authorities.
The Sag Harbor Union Free School District, in a statement to parents reported by ABC 7, identified the child as Cesar Albarracin Guncay.
Guncay was participating in the school’s annual rafting trip on Wednesday with 74 other students, as indicated in published reports.
Superintendent Jeff Nichols expressed deep sympathy in a statement, saying, “On behalf of the entire district, we extend our deepest condolences to Cesar’s family and loved ones during this extraordinarily difficult time.” He urged the community to remember Cesar and keep his family in their thoughts.
12-YEAR-OLD ALLEGEDLY ALIVE UNDERWATER FOR MINUTES BEFORE FATAL SCUBA CLASS FAILURE: LAWSUIT
The drowning occurred during a guided rafting trip on the Lehigh River, according to the Carbon County Coroner’s Office. (Cory Clark/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Carbon County Coroner’s Office said the student died from accidental drowning.
According to the coroner’s office, the students were taking part in a guided rafting trip on the Lehigh River on Wednesday afternoon.
Guncay was one of five students aboard an inflatable raft traveling down the river when the raft capsized, ejecting all of its occupants into the water.
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The rafting accident occurred on Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River during an annual school trip, authorities said. (Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)
Officials said one of the occupants did not resurface, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue operation.
The boy was later recovered from the river and pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.
The drowning occurred near the D&L Trail at mile marker 99, according to the coroner’s office.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about factors such as river conditions, safety equipment, or the circumstances leading to the capsize.
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The Lehigh River is a popular destination for whitewater rafting in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. (Cory Clark/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nichols said school counselors would be available to support students and staff following the tragedy.
“There are no words to adequately express the depth of this loss. Cesar was a cherished member of our school family, a child who mattered deeply to all who had the privilege of knowing him,” Nichols said.
“His absence will leave an irreplaceable space in our classrooms, our hallways and our lives,” he added.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said the incident remains under investigation.
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