A heartbreaking incident occurred as a sixth grader from Long Island lost his life during a rafting excursion in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, according to officials.
Authorities reported that 12-year-old Cesar Albarracin Guncay, a student from the Sag Harbor Union Free School District, was part of a group of five navigating the Lehigh River when their raft overturned at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. While his companions managed to reach safety, Guncay did not surface right away.
Responding to the emergency, the Carbon County Coroner’s Office arrived at the D&L Trail by the Lehigh River around 6 p.m. By that time, the Lehighton Fire Department Dive Team had already recovered Guncay’s body from the river.
He was tragically declared deceased within the hour.
Officials conveyed their deep sorrow in response to the devastating event.
He was pronounced dead less than an hour later.
Officials expressed their profound grief over the tragedy.
“There are no words to adequately express the depth of this loss,” Sag Harbor Superintendent Jeff Nichols said in a statement.
“Cesar was a cherished member of our school family, a child who mattered deeply to all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the statement continued.
“His absence will leave an irreplaceable space in our classrooms, our hallways and our lives.”
Guncay was one of 74 students on the school trip.
School counseling staff will be available to students, said Nichols.
He also encouraged members of the community to reach out to the Response Crisis Center and the Long Island Crisis Center if help is needed.
