A man in his 50s was airlifted to safety after suffering a snake bite in Queensland’s Somerset region, prompting a swift rescue operation by emergency crews on Monday.

The LifeFlight rescue helicopter was dispatched to the remote area, where a QAS critical care paramedic and rescue crew officer were lowered to the patient’s location. After stabilizing him at the scene, rescuers winched the man into the helicopter for rapid transport.

He was flown to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) for further treatment and monitoring.

“The man was in a difficult-to-access area, so the aerial response was essential,” a LifeFlight spokesperson said. “Thanks to the teamwork of paramedics and flight crew, he received timely medical care.”

Authorities did not disclose the species of snake involved, but snake activity tends to increase across Queensland during warmer months, with health officials urging residents to exercise caution in rural and bushland areas.

Medical experts remind the public that immediate first aid — such as keeping the victim calm, immobilizing the bitten limb, and avoiding attempts to suck out venom — can significantly improve outcomes while awaiting professional help.

The successful rescue highlights the importance of aerial emergency response teams like LifeFlight, which regularly conducts life-saving missions across Queensland’s vast and rugged terrain.