Another Glen rescue days away from closure

Emergency response personnel were on scene for a rescue at Glen Onoko Falls over the weekend, just days before the trail to the falls will close.

The rescue took place Saturday afternoon after a man suffered a seizure, according to Bill Diehm, deputy fire chief for the Jim Thorpe Fire Department.

“He was at the top of the second falls, in between the second and third falls,” Diehm said. “It was kind of an easy one.”

Rescue teams gained access to the site through the state game lands off Route 93 atop the Broad Mountain north of Nesquehoning.

“This guy was mobile, he could walk a little bit,” Diehm said. “He (was helped up) to the third falls, took him out to Route 93.”

Diehm said emergency response personnel were on scene for about an hour.

Swarms of visitors packed the Glen, Diehm said.

“I never saw so many cars on the Glen in my life; it was just amazing,” he said. “I’m just glad we didn’t have another issue with people falling.”

Also responding were Nesquehoning Fire Department, Hauto Fire Department, and Lehigh and Lausanne Fire Department.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has decided to close the falls trail permanently, effective Wednesday.

Citing safety concerns, the decision was made to protect hikers and the rescuers who respond when they are injured, according to Mike Beahm, Northeast region land management supervisor for the commission.

The game commission will post the trail Wednesday with signs explaining the penalties for violators.

Violators who are caught hiking the falls trail could be cited under state law and a magistrate could levy a fine between $100-$200.