LEHIGH GORGE STATE PARK -- Emergency crews responded Wednesday to reports of a deadly fall at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Carbon County.
Authorities confirm Rahman Hassan, 18, of Nazareth is dead and Fadi Abboud, 19, of Allentown was injured after an incident before noon, believed to be a fall at Glen Onoko Falls in Carbon County.
It all happened around noon Wednesday. Dozens of emergency responders poured into the Lehigh Gorge State Park trying to rescue two hikers who fell near the top of the Glen Onoko Falls trail.
You could hear one hiker scream in pain as dozens of firefighter rescued him off the mountain trail.
One firefighter was injured on the descent, and other nearby hikers stepped in to help out.
"It's just really rocky and steep terrain. A lot of guys helped out," said hiker Jimmy Payne.
Firefighters had to make a second trip to try and rescue the other hiker who fell. He was pronounced dead at the top of the trail.
"The one victim was helping the other guy come over the rocks, and they both went down," explained Jim Thorpe Fire Chief Vince Yates.
Authorities in the area say they are not surprised by the tragic turn of events.
"It's too common. As soon as the weather gets nice, everybody flocks up here to see the falls," said Chief Yates. "You can't get it into their heads how dangerous it is up there. If you see most of them that come down, you will see them in sneakers."
Officials recommend wearing hiking boots on the trails at the gorge.
