A 65-year-old community board member from Washington state suffered severe injuries after a 2,000-pound bull bison tossed him eight feet into the air on Friday, July 10, 2026, at Yellowstone National Park.
Carl McDaniel was staying at the Bridge Bay Campground near Lake Yellowstone with his grandson when the animal charged, causing broken bones that required surgery.
A nearby photographer recorded the incident, which later became viral on social media platforms, before stepping in to help the victim.
The witness, former combat photographer Mike MacLeod, stated that the victim remained lucid and maintained a positive attitude despite suffering severe leg pain on Sunday.
"He was in a lot of pain with his leg, and otherwise he was conscious the whole time, in good spirits, joking," said Mike MacLeod, Photographer.
MacLeod, who holds a degree in wildlife biology, observed that the victims maintained a proper distance from the animal and did not provoke the attack.
He noted seeing far more dangerous interactions involving other park visitors later that day.
"Most people see that these two did not ask for it," said Mike MacLeod, Photographer.
He further explained that they were at a "respectful distance".
The park website states that remaining near wildlife is illegal, and the National Park Service mandates that visitors stay at least 25 yards away from bison.
"If an animal moves closer to you, back away to maintain a safe distance," said National Park Service, Website Statement.
It further notes: "It's illegal to willfully remain near or approach wildlife, including birds, within any distance that disturbs or displaces the animal."
The National Park Service confirmed the emergency response and hospital transport but did not specify if the ongoing bison rutting season caused the aggression.
"A 65-year-old man was injured by a bison on the evening of [10 July] at Bridge Bay Campground near Lake Yellowstone in Yellowstone national park," said National Park Service, Official Statement.
The agency added: "Park emergency medical personnel responded and transported him to a nearby hospital. There are no further details to share."
MacLeod detailed the event during a Monday television appearance, explaining that the bison shifted its focus toward the victims after a pickup truck passed by.
"It went from a little bit of amusing to watch to critical emergency," said Mike MacLeod, Photographer.
He stopped recording to intervene once the animal began aggressively moving its head over the downed victim.
"I stopped the video because I could see that [the] bison was standing over him and was pumping his head, very aggressive and agitated.
And I knew that somebody had to distract that thing," said Mike MacLeod, Photographer.
A group of campers subsequently intervened to chase the bison away, while McDaniel remains recovering in a hospital.
