A grandfather who survived a terrifying bison attack that hurled him eight feet into the air says the landing was worse than being hit by the animal. Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, suffered a broken hip during the incident at Yellowstone National Park on July 10 while walking with his grandson after dinner.
Isom-McDaniel, now recovering in a Montana hospital, told interviewers: 'I didn't get bruises from him launching me into the air. It was the landing that became the problem.' He acknowledged the attack could have been far worse, noting the bison could have stomped or gored him.
Protecting his grandson
The bison initially showed no aggression 'until it picked a target…that target happened to be me,' Isom-McDaniel said. He was trying to shield his grandson, who was unharmed, when the animal charged and threw him. 'He just kept coming,' he added.
Professional photographer Mike McLeod, a former Army photographer camping nearby, captured the attack on video. He jumped in to scare the bison away, fearing it would gore the man on the ground. McLeod said Isom-McDaniel was 'in a lot of pain, particularly in his hips and the leg he landed on.' He told CBS Mornings the pair did nothing wrong: 'They did everything right. The bottom line is people come to the national park because it's wild and risky.'
Bison behavior and warnings
Moments before the attack, the bison had charged at other people, including children taking photos from a distance. 'You can tell he was agitated and charging at anything and everything,' McLeod said. Doctors at Bozeman Health Deaconess Medical Center confirmed Isom-McDaniel's hip was broken in several places.
The attack follows a similar incident weeks earlier when a 12-year-old was injured by a bison near the park's Mud Volcano. That child was hospitalized; the extent of injuries was not disclosed.
According to Yellowstone's website, male bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and females up to 1,000 pounds, running at speeds of 35 mph. While gorings cause the most serious injuries, most victims survive. Attacks are rare: the park recorded two gorings in 2025 and two in 2024. Park officials note bison can be more aggressive during mating season and advise visitors to stay at least 25 yards away and avoid approaching for photos.
