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A wave of community support has surged around the relatives of Cesar Albarracin Guncay since the Sag Harbor sixth-grader died in a rafting accident on the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania Wednesday — with a GoFundMe raising nearly $210,000 for his family in less than two days.
The campaign, created by Sag Harbor resident Huw Davies, has received more than 1,400 contributions. Donations steadily poured in throughout Friday.
“On behalf of everyone in this village, and across the East End of Long Island, we remember Cesar fondly, we mourn his loss deeply, and we send our love and condolences to his entire family,” the campaign page reads.
Cesar, 12, died Wednesday afternoon after an inflatable raft carrying five people capsized on the Lehigh River in East Penn Township about 5:30 p.m., during the Sag Harbor School District’s annual sixth-grade trip to the Poconos.
He did not resurface after being thrown into the water. The Lehighton Fire Department Dive Team removed him from the river and he was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. The four others on the raft were recovered safely.
Cousin: Cesar was living ‘American dream’
It was the third year the annual school trip had taken place, with 74 students attending. The students were scheduled to stay overnight but came back early to Long Island after the tragedy.
Originally from Ecuador, Cesar came to the United States three years ago, ahead of his parents, and learned English, his cousin Ashley Buestan told . NBC New York‘s Greg Sergol. The boy loved art and soccer.
Buestan, with tears streaming down her face Friday, described her cousin’s experience in Sag Harbor as living the American dream.
Massive support for Cesar’s family
The GoFundMe page described Cesar as “a kind, handsome and athletic” boy who was “a friend to many, and a beloved neighborhood kid” in Sag Harbor.
“He is immediately missed by his classmates, teachers, school families and the entire community,” the page states.
Funeral and memorial arrangements have not yet been finalized. GLI will update this story when services are announced.
Top: The Lehigh River in Pennsylvania (AP Photo/Michael Rubinkam) and photo of Cesar, courtesy of GoFundMe).
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