A bull bison violently charged and tossed a tourist, identified as Carl Isom-McDaniel, into the air at Yellowstone National Park's Bridge Bay Campground on Friday evening. Isom-McDaniel, a retiree from Kendall, Washington, was visiting the park with his grandson when the incident occurred near Yellowstone Lake.
Photographer Mike McLeod, who captured the attack on video, told Fox News Digital that he believes Isom-McDaniel saved his grandson by absorbing the impact of the charge. "It really felt to me like the grandfather kind of saved his grandson. [He'd] taken the brunt of the attack," McLeod said. He added that immediately after the attack, Isom-McDaniel's first question was about his grandson's well-being. The grandfather did not lose consciousness despite sustaining multiple broken bones.
According to reports, neither Isom-McDaniel nor his grandson provoked the animal. The bull had previously charged a group of teenagers at a safe distance before the encounter with Isom-McDaniel and his grandson. The teenagers scattered and warned other campers about the bison's aggressive behavior.
Isom-McDaniel and his grandson later came upon the bison while on an evening walk, unaware of its earlier actions. After they briefly stopped to take photos, the bison stood up and charged. The pair moved behind trees as a truck drove past. The bison briefly turned its attention to the vehicle before charging back toward Isom-McDaniel and his grandson. The grandson escaped unharmed, but the bison hooked Isom-McDaniel and hurled him several feet into the air.
McLeod and other campground visitors helped haze the bison away and render aid until the animal retreated. McLeod reported that Isom-McDaniel remained in good spirits while waiting for assistance. He has since learned that Isom-McDaniel underwent surgery for a broken leg and expressed pride in his grandson's safety and gratitude for his grandson not being injured.
The attack occurred during the bison's mating season, a time when bulls are known to become more aggressive. Bison can run at speeds up to 30 mph, leaving little time for people to react. Yellowstone National Park advises visitors to maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from bison. Isom-McDaniel is recovering from his injuries.