A man who was shot while hunting in Greene County is still in critical condition, according to a spokesperson at DCH Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.

Daniel C. Langford, 31, of Tuscaloosa was shot in the head Sunday morning in an apparent hunting accident, said Greene County Sheriff Johnny Isaac.

Langford, Michael Powell of Fosters and Anthony Averette of Tuscaloosa, were hunting on Silver Dollar Island in an area in northeast Greene County near the Black Warrior River and near the Hale County line.

They had already killed one deer and were stalking another when the accident occurred. "Langford got in the line of fire," the sheriff said. It happened in a deep brush area.

Powell fired the shot that hit Langford.

None of the hunters were wearing orange safety clothing.

One of the hunters called in to authorities at 9 a.m. Sunday. Isaac responded to the call. His friends carried Langford to the Lock 8 Landing in Akron. He was taken by ambulance to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.

According to Beth Woodruff, a communications specialist with DCH, Langford is holding on, but has not been upgraded from critical status. Federal health laws forbid further information being given about a patient.

Isaac said he was told by medical officials it would be a miracle if Langford survived.

Apparently, an investigation is ongoing into the Sunday accident. Alec Braswell, who serves as assistant district attorney and handles Greene County, said the investigation is not complete and that law enforcement has not decided what charges will be filed.

The three were hunting illegally, according to Isaac, and the game warden at the scene will have to decide whether they will be charged, Isaac said.