A Nazareth man fell to his death just after noon on Wednesday at Glen Onoko Falls in Jim Thorpe, a site known for its beauty as well as its danger.

Police said Rahman Mustafa Hassan, 18, was hiking in the Lehigh Gorge State Park in Lehigh Township with a group of friends.According to state police at Hazleton, the group held a picnic on a rock at the top of the falls.Hassan was seated with his legs hanging over the edge. He was sitting next to Fadi Abboud, 19, of Nazareth. A water bottle was dropped and Hassan and Abboud fell as they tried to catch it.They both fell about 50 feet, landing at the base of the falls, police said. Hassan was killed instantly.Abboud survived, but has life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where he was listed in critical condition.Hassan was pronounced dead at 3:37 p.m. by deputy coroner Donna Kemmerle, troopers said. The falls are located on state game lands in Lehigh Township, Carbon County.Hassan was a sophomore at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Abboud is a junior at the school.Troopers said Hassan died upon impact with the rocks at the base of the falls. The investigation is continuing.The school released a statement concerning the incident."We are deeply saddened to learn of the heartbreaking loss of our student and the injuries of another in this tragic accident. Our hearts are with the family and friends of both Rahman and Fadi. The Penn State Lehigh Valley community is mourning Rahman's death and hoping for Fadi to make a full recovery," said Tina Q. Richardson, chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley. "We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the people directly involved as it is a difficult time for them and their families."The college provided counseling services today.Rescue and recoverySix fire companies responded to the scene Wednesday.Jim Thorpe Fire Chief William Diehm said that warm weather attracted more hikers than are usually on the trail midweek before Memorial Day.Firefighters and state police made the climb to the "second falls" to get to the two hikers."It takes 15 minutes to a half-hour to even get up to the person and about two hours to get someone out of there. Safety for the patient is the number one concern but you don't want your responders injured either," Diehm said.Diehm directed responders on the first crossover of the trail to rescue Abboud and to recover Hassan's body.A Summit Hill firefighter sustained a knee injury and was taken to Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital to be evaluated for the sprain."It takes about 20 to 30 people to get someone out of there," Diehm said."When there's a midweek call it's harder. A lot of guys are not around because they are at work."The responders are charged with carrying anywhere from 60 to 70 pounds of equipment including a Stokes basket, heart monitor and rope up to the site of a fall, requiring a team of four or more men before a person is added to the weight."It's very difficult and dangerous for the responders, especially on the way down," Diehm said.The fallsOver the years, the beautiful but treacherous falls have attracted tourists from Philadelphia, New York and beyond. But it has been the site of numerous dangerous incidents that left hikers injured. Since 1977, at least nine people have died as a result of mis-steps at Glen Onoko, according to a 2014 Times News article. Authorities do not keep a tally of the number of hikers killed.Diehm said most incidents happen at the second of the three waterfalls in the park."People climb the rocks up there and slip on the moss. That moss is as slick as ice and they go over," he said."The sad thing is, this is the first of the year and it's not even Memorial Day weekend. It's going to be a long summer for us."Signs are posted. "Last year Boy Scouts added additional signs on the trail about wearing proper shoes and giving directions for the trails. People have to be aware but they just ignore the warnings," Diehm said.Diehm says he understands the draw to the beauty of the park but encourages people to keep their wits about them."Rangers discourage people when they see them wearing flip-flops and sneakers but it's a state park. You enter at your own risk."Reporters Kelley Andrade, Den McLaughlin and Chris Reber contributed to this report.