Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, is recovering after being tossed approximately eight feet into the air by a bison in Yellowstone National Park. The incident occurred Friday evening while McDaniel was visiting the park with his grandson. He underwent surgery for a broken femur, which fractured in four places near his hip.
Despite his injuries, McDaniel posted a message on Facebook late Sunday stating, “Thank you everyone I am OK” accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji. He also expressed a sense of gratitude toward the bison, recounting that the animal remained over him while he was immobile on the ground. McDaniel told CNN that the bison could have caused further harm, such as goring or stomping, but chose not to.
Mike MacLeod, a photographer who captured the viral video of the encounter, told Cowboy State Daily that McDaniel was conscious and joking immediately after the incident, despite being in pain. McDaniel was reportedly concerned about whether he had provoked the animal, but MacLeod assured him that the bison appeared to be aggressive from the outset.