Grandpa Survives Bison Attack in Yellowstone

A grandfather was unexpectedly hurled eight feet into the air by a bison at Yellowstone National Park, and he’s now shared his story of survival. He reflected on what he called his bad luck for being singled out by the enormous animal.

Carl Isom McDaniel, 65, posted an update from his hospital bed after undergoing surgery for a fractured femur. He recalled an evening stroll at Wyoming’s Bridge Bay Campground on July 10 with his 13-year-old grandson when they were drawn to the sight of the massive bison.

“We saw the bison, and it seemed to be in a low mood. It didn’t appear aggressive at all,” he mentioned in a video shared by Bozeman Health in Montana. “Until it picked a target, that target happened to be me.”

Originally from Kendall, Washington, Isom McDaniel’s first instinct was to get his grandson to safety, sprinting through the trees to avoid being struck by the 2,000-pound beast. “But they can move faster than you think,” he added.

“It charged at me aggressively and launched me into the air as soon as I emerged from behind the tree,” he explained. Interestingly, he joked that the throw was almost a blessing in disguise. “It was the landing that caused all the trouble,” he added, indicating that he broke his femur in four places.

Reflecting on his injuries, he felt fortunate it wasn’t worse, saying, “If I had been on the ground, it could’ve stomped me or worse.” Despite the pain, he remained in good spirits. A photographer named Mike McLeod, who witnessed the incident, noted that McDaniel was “joking the whole time,” despite the circumstances.

Interestingly, park officials have stated that no action will be taken against the aggressive bison. They also remind visitors to maintain a safe distance of at least 22 feet from wildlife like bison.

It’s worth noting that bison can run three times faster than humans, as highlighted by the National Park Service, which is something that visitors should definitely keep in mind.