News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Power & Politics
Homeless Youth In Crisis
Rebuilding Brooklyn
Hot Toys
39°
Local
Crime
Weather
Power & Politics
Homeless Youth In Crisis
Rebuilding Brooklyn
Hot Toys

Family of Sag Harbor student who drowned on rafting trip sues school district

The lawsuit, which also names Superintendent of Schools Jeff Nichols, Hampton Jitney Inc. and White Water Rafting Adventures, LLC, was filed on Monday in Suffolk County Supreme Court.

Mike Smollins

•

Nov 5, 2026, 10:08 PM

•

Updated

Share:

More Stories

The family of a Sag Harbor student who died while on a school rafting trip in Pennsylvania is suing the Sag Harbor School District.

The lawsuit, which also names Superintendent of Schools Jeff Nichols, Hampton Jitney Inc. and White Water Rafting Adventures, LLC, was filed on Monday in Suffolk County Supreme Court.

Cesar Albarracin Guncay, 12, a sixth grader at Pierson Middle School, was on an annual class trip to the Pocono Mountains when the incident happened in May.

After its investigation into the incident, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said Cesar and four others were riding in an inflatable raft on the Lehigh River as part of a larger, guided excursion when the raft capsized. All five riders were thrown into the water and all of them resurfaced except for Cesar.

Superintendent Nichols released the following statement:

"The District is aware that a notice of complaint has been filed by the family of Cesar Albarracin Guncay, who tragically passed away following a rafting accident last May. In accordance with District policy, and on the advice of counsel, the District does not comment on pending or ongoing litigation. While we cannot comment on the legal matter, we want to reiterate that the loss of Cesar remains a profound tragedy for our entire school community. Cesar was a valued and cherished member of our school family, and his passing left an immeasurable void in the lives of his classmates, teachers, staff, and all who knew him."

Top Stories

AP26317776750151

LIVE UPDATES: FAA lifts nationwide ground stop on flights that halted travel across the US

00:54
Headlines - Evening

Brooklyn's weather will slowly improve as we head into the weekend

00:51
Screenshot 2026-11-13 at 9.52.45 PM

Brooklyn mother fights for safe streets 2 years after son killed in motorcycle crash

00:33
RGNTRUMPSAVESBODEGAS1113430P_2026-11-13-16-50-26

Mayor Mamdani secures 90-day delay of USDA SNAP rule for bodegas, small retailers

00:24
bxbksurveillancepriceing1113_2026-11-13-16-52-06

NYC Council approves ban on companies using personal data to change product prices

TURKEYPIC

Stop & Shop launches Thanksgiving meal deal with turkey, sides and pie for under $40

02:37
Screenshot 2026-11-13 164548

The warnings were there. Now Brooklyn wants answers after deadly building collapse

00:28
bxbkcodeblue1113_2026-11-13-22-24-25

NYC activates Code Blue amid freezing wind chills

01:34
1749c5fd-5001-421d-87fb-d7c35d04fbcc

'We don't wish this experience on anybody.’ Victims of Flatbush building collapse speak out

00:20
GENERIC POLICE LIGHTS

4-year-old boy punched by stranger aboard A train in East New York

01:35
1113jonathan1_2026-11-13-05-53-11

Brooklyn DA launching investigation into deadly building collapse

00:25
MAMDANIMCGUINNESPIC

Mamdani, NYC DOT announce completion of McGuinness Boulevard redesign in Greenpoint

02:01
RGNOUTLOOKOUTAGEIMPACTS1113430P_2026-11-13-16-48-03

Microsoft reports ‘encouraging recovery progress’ after outage hits companies and governments worldwide

00:34
113indictment2_2026-11-13-12-12-08_12-09-40,26

Brooklyn Crip gang members indicted in drive-by killing 12-year-old boy

2995-26 Brooklyn Grand Larceny Pattern 10-18-26 incident1

Serial robber stabs victim in stomach during struggle on Brooklyn train

00:30
1113centralparkrapesuspect_2026-11-13-06-50-57

Central Park rape suspect to be extradited from Florida to New York

image (11)

Macy's reveals new balloons, floats and performers for landmark 100th Thanksgiving Day Parade

01:18
1113HOTTOYS_2026-11-13-06-09-54

Hot Toys: Holiday shopping hacks

00:55
1113eastend_2026-11-13-05-51-09

The East End: Stone Creek Inn

01:53
Screenshot 2026-11-12 215313

Warning signs before the fall: Inside the investigation into the Flatbush collapse

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices