A hiking outing among five friends turned tragic as they picnicked at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Carbon County.
An 18-year-old from Nazareth died and a friend suffered critical injuries Wednesday when they accidentally fell from the top of the highest point at Glen Onoko Falls in Carbon County, state police said.
The victim, Rahman Mustafa Hassan, was pronounced dead at 3:37 p.m. by the Carbon County Coroner's Office.
His friend, 19-year-old Fadi Abboud of Allentown, was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township for treatment of life-threatening injuries, state police said.
Both were students at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Hassan was a sophomore and Abboud a junior at the branch campus in Center Valley, officials said Wednesday night.
They were part of a group of five friends hiking at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Lehigh Township, Carbon County.
The accident happened as they picnicked about 12:20 p.m. along the Falls Trail at the top of the falls, state police at Hazleton said.
Hassan was sitting with his legs dangling over the edge with Abboud next to him when someone dropped a water bottle, state police said. Hassan and Abboud fell as they tried to retrieve it, plunging about 50 feet, state police said.
Hassan died on impact on rocks at the bottom of the falls; Abboud survived but received serious injuries, according to a news release.
Penn State Lehigh Valley Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson said the school would make counselors available to students Thursday.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the heartbreaking loss of our student and the injuries of another in this tragic accident," she said in a statement. "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. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the people directly involved as it is a difficult time for them and their families."
Counseling services will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday or by appointment, the school said.
Students, faculty and staff seeking support should call the counseling office at 610-285-5077.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.