Multiple crews responded to Bankhead National Forest Thursday to rescue a man who had been bitten by a venomous snake while hiking.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office says deputies were notified via 911 of a venomous snake bite incident near the “Big Tree” in Bankhead National Forest about 3 p.m.

The LCSO Multi-Agency Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was immediately activated.

When they arrived at the trailhead, deputies met with a family member of the victim who had hiked out to call for help.

The sheriff's office says SAR Team Leader Lt. Long, who is EMT-certified, along with other members of the sheriff's office SAR team, hiked into the forest and located the patient.

The patient, a man in his early 30s, was experiencing symptoms including vomiting, swelling, and abdominal pain resul

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