A 12-year-old boy has tragically drowned during an annual middle school rafting excursion in Pennsylvania, after being thrown from an overturned inflatable raft. Cesar Albarracin Guncay, a sixth-grade student at Pierson Middle School in Sag Harbor, New York, lost his life on May 27 while navigating the Lehigh River in the Poconos, as confirmed by the Carbon County Coroner's Office.
The incident unfolded when the raft, carrying five individuals as part of a larger guided group, capsized near mile marker 99. While the other passengers resurfaced, Cesar did not, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation. The Lehighton Fire Department dive team recovered his body, and he was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.
Cesar's cousin, Ashley Buestan, expressed the family's shock and grief, describing the 12-year-old as an art and soccer enthusiast who had emigrated from Ecuador approximately three years ago. 'It's confusing, it's overwhelming,' she told NBC New York. Buestan added that her younger sister, who was also on the trip, witnessed the tragedy. 'That's her best friend. It was always the two of them.'
The outing involved 74 students from Pierson Middle School and was organized by Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Nesquehoning. According to the East Hampton Star, this was the third consecutive year the sixth-grade class embarked on this trip. A now-removed itinerary from the school's website indicated that students would engage in ziplining, swimming, and lunch before the rafting activity, which covered an 11-mile section of the Lehigh River typically taking four hours to complete.
Water levels at the time were recorded at approximately 3.6 feet. Parents reported that near the end of the route, a fallen tree obstructed a large portion of the river, potentially contributing to the accident. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesperson Mike Parker confirmed that life jackets were being used, but noted that 'fatalities are not something they deal with often.' He stated that a review of all safety equipment would be conducted, emphasizing that 'even with a life jacket on, there's still other factors.'
The owners of Whitewater Rafting Adventures, Hilary and Steve Bretzik, expressed their heartbreak over the incident, stating that their primary concern is for Cesar's family and friends. Sag Harbor School District Superintendent Jeff Nichols released a statement acknowledging the profound loss: 'This will leave an irreplaceable space in our classrooms, our hallways, and our lives.' He assured that counselors and support staff would be available to help students, families, and staff cope with the grief.
Following the tragedy, students who were scheduled to stay overnight returned home early, arriving around 2 a.m. Thursday. An autopsy conducted at the Lehigh County Coroner's Office determined the cause of death to be accidental drowning. A GoFundMe campaign launched to support Cesar's family described him as 'a kind, handsome, and athletic 6th grader, a friend to many, and a beloved neighborhood kid here in Sag Harbor.' As of Saturday evening, nearly $232,000 had been raised toward a $350,000 goal. Sag Harbor Village Mayor Thomas Gardella ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in honor of the young victim.
