Hiker rescued after falling down waterfall at Palisades State Park

PALISADES STATE PARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- A hiker was rescued after he fell down a waterfall at Palisades State Park on Monday.

Just before 4:30 p.m. at Peanut Falls, the teen, from Elmwood Park, N.J., was climbing the trails with friends and began swinging from a tree.

He landed on a rock, but the rock gave way causing him to fall several feet down the waterfall. He had several internal injuries and was unable to move until rescued.

Rescuers climbed 70 feet to get to the hiker, a 17-year-old boy who was trapped at a popular waterfall.

"Thank god for the EMS. That's what they're here for," said Liz Pfeiffer, a boater.

James Delvechio works at the boat basin at Palisades State Park, about 2 miles from the accident along Peanut Leap Trail.

"First ambulance came down and I heard over the radio heard them talking about someone falling off of a waterfall, don't know the extent of the injuries, but I hope the guy is OK," Delvechio said.

The hiker's concerned parents arrived at the accident scene, desperate to find their son.

First responders worked quickly during the rope rescue to get the hiker to a waiting boat and into an ambulance.

"We saw all these people looking over; we had no idea what was going on. We just saw red lights flashing. Thank God it sounds like whoever fell is OK," said Lisa Fried, a kayaker.

The teen is recovering at Hackensack University Hospital.