The search for a missing 70-year-old man who never returned after going ice fishing Thursday morning in the Preachers Camp area of Beltzville State Park resumed this morning.

Emergency crews planned to continue the search at 9 a.m., said Franklin Township fire Chief Lynn Diehl.

Diehl said emergency crews were initially dispatched to the area at around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night.

“Apparently, there was a 70-year-old man who went ice fishing yesterday morning. He never returned and his wife called,” Diehl said. “They did find his truck, but he wasn’t located; they found some of his ice fishing equipment on the ice to the north side of the lake.”

Diehl said state police, along with park rangers, are in charge of the search.

“They called in a state police helicopter, which did their infrared search with spotlight and stuff,” he said. “They really didn’t find anything.”

Diehl said a quick land search was conducted in the area before calling it a night, but added with the thick brush, it was not safe being out in the dark.

Also assisting at the scene were the Towamensing Fire Company, and Lehighton Fire Company dive team.