Bull bison throws 65-year-old grandfather into the air at Yellowstone campground, leaving him with severe injuries
Carl McDaniel, 65, was struck by a 900kg bull bison and thrown eight feet into the air at Bridge Bay Campground on Friday evening. He remains hospitalised with severe leg and hip injuries.
How the attack unfolded
On Friday evening at Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake, a bull bison estimated at 900kg was rolling in dust. Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, and his grandson were walking and paused to take a photo from what witnesses described as a respectful distance of about 100 metres. The bison, appearing agitated, repeatedly flopped onto its side before jumping up. A white truck passed and the animal charged it briefly, then turned and sprinted toward the two visitors. The grandson fled while Isom-McDaniel tried to circle around a thicket of pine trees, but the bison caught up.
The bison hooked him with his left horn on his hip and tossed him in the air. He made a perfect flip and landed on his side.
Photographer Mike MacLeod captured the sequence on video, later published by Cowboy State Daily. He told the New York Times that the bison had already been "charging everything in its path" before the attack.
- The bull bison rolls on its side near the campground, appearing agitated.
- A white truck drives by; the bison briefly pursues the vehicle before turning.
- The bison sprints toward the two visitors, who try to evade by running through pine trees.
- The bison hooks Carl with its left horn on his hip, flipping him eight feet into the air.
- Mike MacLeod and other campers shout and wave to scare off the bison.
- Medical help reaches the victim, who is taken to hospital.
Victim's injuries and response
Isom-McDaniel suffered significant leg and hip injuries, including broken bones. MacLeod, a former combat photographer with a degree in wildlife biology, was among the campers who rushed to help. They shouted and waved their arms to deter the bison from attacking again. The victim remained conscious and tried to joke about his predicament while in severe pain. He was transported to hospital and as of Sunday was still receiving treatment, with his grandson reporting that injuries were "quite significant" and his condition remained critical.
He was in a lot of pain with his leg, and otherwise he was conscious the whole time, in good spirits, joking.
What witnesses say about distance
MacLeod insisted the pair kept a proper distance and did nothing to provoke the animal. He told the New York Times that he later saw "half a dozen far more dangerous instances where people were way closer and being aggressive". Other campers confirmed the grandson and grandfather had been about 100 metres away. Park guidelines require visitors to maintain at least 25 yards (23 metres) from large animals such as bison and never approach wildlife for photographs.
The rutting season factor
The National Park Service noted that bison rutting season runs from June to about September, when males become more territorial and aggressive. MacLeod described the bull as "agitated, pissed off" and said the incident changed his own perception of what to expect from bison during this period. In the 2026 season, Yellowstone has already recorded at least two bison attacks on visitors; the earlier one, on 26 June at Mud Volcano, left a 12-year-old child injured.
Park warnings and investigation
Park authorities have not released additional details on Isom-McDaniel's case. The park's website reminds visitors that bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal, can run three times faster than humans, and must be given space. Summer is the busiest season, with nearly 60% of annual visitation happening in June, July and August. The incident remains under investigation.
