12-year-old boy loses life while rafting with school in Pocono Mountains

Important Water Safety Tips for Families on Memorial Day

Dr. Gautama Soma, who is both a pediatric emergency medicine doctor and a mother of two, has shared crucial water safety tips for families as they head into Memorial Day weekend. She stresses the need for constant monitoring of children around water, noting that drownings can often be silent tragedies. Accidental drownings among young kids, she points out, are largely preventable. Additionally, Dr. Soma urges parents to ensure their children wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets and suggests learning CPR as a critical safety skill.

Tragic Incident During School Rafting Trip

A 12-year-old boy tragically lost his life during a school rafting excursion in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Authorities have identified the boy as Cesar Albarracin Gancay, as reported by ABC 7. He was one of 75 students participating in the annual school rafting trip when the incident occurred.

In a statement, Superintendent Jeff Nichols expressed deep condolences to Cesar’s family and loved ones during this heartbreaking time. “We ask the community to honor Cesar’s memory and keep his family in our hearts,” he added.

Drowning Details

The Carbon County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the boy died from accidental drowning during a guided rafting trip on the Lehigh River on Wednesday afternoon. Reports indicate that the raft, carrying five students, capsized, throwing everyone into the water.

Search and rescue efforts began immediately after it was noted that one of the students did not resurface. Sadly, Cesar was later pulled from the river and was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m.

This incident occurred near mile marker 99 on the D&L Trail, and officials are still gathering information regarding river conditions, safety equipment, and specifics surrounding the accident.

Support for the School Community

In light of this tragedy, school counselors will be available to assist students and staff. Superintendent Nichols remarked, “There are no words to adequately express the depth of this loss. Cesar was a valued member of our school family.” He emphasized how significant Cesar was to all who had the privilege to know him, noting that his absence will create an irreplaceable void in their community.