TOSSED IN THE AIR: 65-Year-Old Grandfather Hospitalized After Violent Bison Ambush at Yellowstone National Park.
In a terrifying encounter that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s park system and ignited fierce online debates regarding wildlife safety, a routine evening walk took a catastrophic turn when a massive, agitated bull bison gored and launched a 65-year-old grandfather into the air.
The victim, identified as Carl Isom-McDaniel of Kendall, Washington, remains hospitalized with a broken femur and multiple other injuries following the brutal, mid-rut assault at the park’s Bridge Bay Campground.
The Nightmare at Bridge Bay The incident unfolded around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026. Isom-McDaniel was walking with his 13-year-old grandson when they encountered a large bull bison that had been wandering through the campground for some time, reportedly behaving aggressively toward other visitors, tents, and even a passing vehicle.
Witnesses, including professional photographer Mike MacLeod, described the animal as unusually “agitated” and displaying classic signs of testosterone-fueled aggression typical of the park’s summer mating season. According to MacLeod, the pair initially kept a respectful distance, but the situation escalated rapidly when the bison suddenly stood up and charged in their direction.
“The bison hooked him with his left horn on his hip and tossed him in the air,” MacLeod recounted, noting that Isom-McDaniel was launched at least eight feet off the ground. The grandson managed to escape the animal’s path, but his grandfather took the full force of the charge.
“Cracking Jokes” in the Face of Horror In a display of calm that has stunned the true-crime and outdoor communities, Isom-McDaniel remained conscious throughout the ordeal. Despite the severity of his leg injuries—specifically a femur broken in four places—bystanders and witnesses reported that the grandfather remained remarkably upbeat.
“He was in a lot of pain, but was conscious and joking the whole time,” MacLeod told Cowboy State Daily. Bystanders, including MacLeod, rushed toward the bison, yelling and attempting to distract the animal to prevent further goring until park emergency medical personnel could arrive. The grandfather was later transported to a nearby hospital in Bozeman, Montana, to undergo surgery.
Safety Warnings Amid the Rut The incident marks the second bison-related injury at Yellowstone in 2026, following a separate attack on a 12-year-old near Mud Volcano on June 26. National Park Service officials continue to emphasize that bison are wild, unpredictable animals—not tourist attractions—that can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and reach speeds of 35 mph.
Guidelines strictly mandate that visitors maintain a distance of at least 25 yards from bison and elk, and 100 yards from bears and wolves. While investigators have not suggested the grandfather violated park regulations, the attack highlights the extreme volatility of the summer mating season, or “rut,” when bull bison are most territorial.
As Isom-McDaniel begins his long road to recovery, the video of the incident—which has since gone viral across TikTok and X—serves as a sobering reminder of the lethal risks present in North America’s most famous national parks. “Thank you everyone, I am OK,” Isom-McDaniel wrote in a brief social media update on Sunday, expressing gratitude for the bystanders who rushed to his aid.