Grandfather recovering from surgery after bison attack at Yellowstone sent him flying

Yellowstone Grandfather Survives Bison Encounter, Undergoes Surgery for Broken Leg

A Routine Family Outing Becomes a Medical Emergency

Grandfather recovering from surgery after bison – What began as an annual family excursion transformed into an unexpected hospital visit for a Montana grandfather following a dramatic encounter with a wild bison at Yellowstone National Park. Carl McDaniel, sixty-five years of age, found himself hospitalized with a fractured femur after a massive bison charged and launched him skyward on Friday evening. The incident occurred at the park’s Bridge Bay Campground, according to statements from both McDaniel and the National Park Service.

The grandfather had traveled to the renowned national park accompanied by his thirteen-year-old grandson. After enjoying dinner together, the pair decided to take a leisurely stroll through the campground area. During their walk, they spotted a large bison that seemed to be rolling in the dust. The animal appeared calm and was not disturbing other visitors, McDaniel recalled when speaking with CNN.

“We were about a hundred yards away,” McDaniel explained. “He was not aggressive; he was not having problems and we took some pictures and decided to walk on.”

After capturing a quick photograph, McDaniel and his grandson continued their journey. Video footage of the remarkable encounter reveals that simultaneously, a vehicle passed nearby. The driver appeared to honk the horn, possibly attempting to encourage the bison to move. Unfortunately, the video contains no sound to confirm this detail.

The Bison Turns Aggressive

According to McDaniel, the bison suddenly became restless and began charging toward the grandfather and grandson. With seconds to react, McDaniel made a split-second decision. He instructed his grandson to run in one direction while he moved in the opposite direction, hoping to draw the animal’s attention away from the boy.

“There was little time to decide what to do. At that point, he was within 100 yards; he could be to us in seconds, so I told my grandson to run in one direction and I went the other to try and draw him away,” McDaniel recounted.

The bison then struck McDaniel with the top of its head, propelling him high into the air before he crashed back to the ground. Lying motionless, McDaniel felt the massive animal looming directly over him. He later expressed relief that the bison did not stomp or gore him during this vulnerable moment.

“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.

Quick Thinking Bystanders Provide Aid

Photographer Mike MacLeod, who had been recording the encounter on video, immediately intervened. Concerned that the bison might injure McDaniel further, MacLeod stopped filming and charged toward the animal, yelling loudly while attempting to appear as large and threatening as possible.

Once the bison finally retreated, several people rushed to McDaniel’s side. He was experiencing considerable pain, and bystanders sprang into action. One nurse began treating his injured leg while another held his head steady. Yellowstone emergency medical services arrived promptly and transported McDaniel to a nearby hospital, the National Park Service confirmed in an official statement to CNN.

Recovery and Reflection

This incident marks the second bison attack at Yellowstone during the current year. On June 26, a twelve-year-old visitor sustained injuries near the Mud Volcano area, according to park officials.

McDaniel described the people present during the attack as incredibly supportive. After receiving initial care, he was transferred to a hospital in Bozeman, requiring a two-hour journey. Throughout the ride, McDaniel endured intense pain but remained grateful for the paramedic who assisted him.

Medical examination revealed that McDaniel had broken his femur—the body’s strongest bone—in four separate locations near his hip. He also suffered multiple bruises. Surgery was performed on Sunday, and McDaniel expected to be able to stand by Monday.

“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,” McDaniel said.

Safety Guidelines for Visitors

The National Park Service continues to remind visitors to maintain a minimum distance of twenty-five yards from bison at all times. Additionally, guests should never approach these powerful animals. If a bison begins following you, the agency recommends spraying bear spray while moving away and seeking shelter behind nearby trees or vehicles.

A correction was issued noting that an earlier version of this report understated the recommended distance visitors should maintain from bison. The National Park Service advises staying at least twenty-five yards away.

CNN’s Sharif Paget contributed to this report.