A grandfather in Yellowstone National Park heroically distracted a bison that had become agitated, leading it away from his grandson before the animal charged and tossed him into the air, according to a photographer who witnessed the incident. Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, instructed his 13-year-old grandson to retreat while he drew the attention of the 2,000-pound animal.
Photographer Mike MacLeod told NewsNation that Isom-McDaniel and his grandson were walking near the Bridge Bay campground when the bison noticed them. Isom-McDaniel then told his grandson to run back to their starting point while he lured the bison away, a move MacLeod described as saving the grandson’s life.
MacLeod attempted to further distract the bison by yelling and jumping. The incident occurred after a truck driver reportedly honked their horn, which appeared to agitate the animal.
Isom-McDaniel, a community leader from East Whatcom County, Washington, was walking with his grandson after dinner and taking pictures of the bison when the encounter escalated. He told CNN that he darted through trees to avoid the charging animal before being thrown approximately eight feet into the air. MacLeod described the scene, stating that Isom-McDaniel made a “perfect flip” before landing on his side.
Despite being hospitalized with a femur broken in four places near his hip, Isom-McDaniel expressed gratitude that his injuries were not more severe, noting that the bison could have caused greater harm when it was on top of him while he was immobile.
He underwent surgery earlier this week at a hospital in Bozeman, Montana. Wildlife officials have stated that the bison involved in the incident will not be euthanized.
The National Park Service advises visitors to maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from bison and other large animals, emphasizing that bison are unpredictable and can run at speeds three times faster than humans. Bison have reportedly injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal.