A peaceful evening stroll at one of Yellowstone National Park’s most popular campgrounds turned into a terrifying ordeal for a 65-year-old grandfather when a charging bull bison launched him eight feet into the air and left him with severe injuries. Carl McDaniel, visiting the park with his 13-year-old grandson on July 10, has spoken out about the moment he was tossed by the massive animal, saying the most painful part wasn’t the initial impact from the bison—it was hitting the ground.
According to professional photographer Mike MacLeod, who witnessed and filmed the attack at Bridge Bay Campground, the damage McDaniel sustained came entirely from the fall. “He said it wasn’t the horn. It was his head, which was actually soft. Then, all the damage came when he hit the ground and broke his femur,” MacLeod explained to local media after visiting McDaniel in the hospital.
The incident began when McDaniel and his grandson encountered what appeared to be a calm bison rolling in the dust near the campground. Standing about 100 yards away—four times the park’s recommended safe distance of 25 yards—the pair snapped a few photos before deciding to continue their after-dinner walk. The bison, however, had been displaying aggressive behavior throughout the evening, charging at other visitors and even mock-charging vehicles.
The animal’s demeanor changed dramatically. According to McDaniel’s account, a passing truck honked its horn, apparently trying to encourage the bison to move. The sound seemed to enrage the animal, which began running toward McDaniel and his grandson. Acting quickly to protect his grandson, McDaniel told the boy to run in one direction while he went the other way, hoping to draw the bison’s attention away from the child.
The bison pursued McDaniel through a grove of trees before catching up to him. The animal rammed him with the top of its head, flipping him into the air before he came crashing down hard on the ground. McDaniel broke his femur—the body’s strongest bone—in four places near his hip and suffered multiple bruises from the impact.
Despite the severity of his injuries, McDaniel remained conscious and remarkably composed during the immediate aftermath. While lying on the ground immobile, the bison stood directly over him. “When I was on the ground immobile, unable to move, he was right on top of me. He could have stomped on me, he could have gored me, he could have done almost anything to take my life, and he did not do so,” McDaniel said.
MacLeod, a former Army combat photographer camping nearby, immediately sprang into action. Realizing the bison might further injure McDaniel, he stopped recording and ran toward the animal, yelling and attempting to appear as large and threatening as possible. Other campers joined his effort, and the bison eventually retreated. Emergency responders quickly arrived and transported McDaniel to a hospital in Bozeman, Montana, where he underwent surgery.
The recovery has progressed remarkably well. McDaniel had surgery on Sunday, July 14, and was able to stand by the following day. “I will be doing physical therapy for the next few days to get to walk, but it was not as catastrophic as it could have been,” he said.
MacLeod has emphasized throughout various interviews that McDaniel and his grandson were acting responsibly during the encounter and did nothing to provoke the bison. The animal’s aggressive behavior appeared to stem from the season—mid-July marks the beginning of bison mating season, when bulls become significantly more territorial and unpredictable. The incident marked Yellowstone’s second bison attack of 2026, following an injury to a 12-year-old near Mud Volcano on June 26.
The attack has reignited discussions about wildlife safety in the park. Yellowstone officials urge visitors to maintain at least 25 yards of distance from bison at all times and to view the animals from inside vehicles whenever possible. Bison, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run up to 35 miles per hour, have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal.
Despite his ordeal, McDaniel has maintained a positive outlook. The photographer shared that in the moments after the attack, while lying injured and in pain, McDaniel joked with MacLeod about his landing. The incident serves as a sobering reminder that even visitors who take reasonable precautions can find themselves in dangerous situations when wildlife behaves unpredictably in their natural habitat.