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Bison attack at Bridge Bay
A bull bison attacked Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, at Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone National Park after he was walking with his 13-year-old grandson and the animal charged and tossed him into the air.
“Carl McDaniel, 65, was hospitalized with a broken femur after a bison charged and tossed him into the air”
CNN reported that McDaniel was hospitalized with a broken femur after the bison charged and tossed him into the air Friday evening at the park’s Bridge Bay Campground, and the National Park Service confirmed the incident.
ABC News said park officials told it that "A 65-year-old man was injured by a bison on the evening of July 10 at Bridge Bay Campground near Lake Yellowstone," and that "Park emergency medical personnel responded and transported him to a nearby hospital."
Multiple outlets tied the attack to the bison’s behavior during the park visit, with Mike MacLeod describing the moment as the pair attempted to flee after the bison stood up and then "tosses the helpless visitor eight feet in the air."
Witnesses and safety warnings
Mike MacLeod, the local park photographer who witnessed the attack and captured it on video, told ABC News that he "really didn't think [the bison] was going to pick those two people of all the people who were even way closer."
ABC News also quoted MacLeod describing the bison’s aggressive behavior as it pursued the grandfather, saying, "The bison was pumping his legs and pumping his head and exhibiting very aggressive behavior," and that he then put down his camera to rush and assist the injured man.
Park officials told ABC News that "Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal," and the national park stated that visitors are responsible for staying at least 25 yards away from all large animals, including bison.
Wildlife expert Ron Magill told ABC News that summer can be particularly dangerous time of year around male bison, saying, "We're at the peak of what's called the bison rut," and that the males are "just raging in hormones" during the period when they fight for territories and females.
Recovery and what’s at risk
After the attack, Carl Isom-McDaniel broke his femur in four places near his hip and suffered several bruises, and CNN said he had surgery Sunday and could stand by Monday.
“He had surgery Sunday and could stand by Monday.”
CNN also reported that the National Park Service advises visitors to stay at least 25 feet away from bison at all times and to never approach the animals, adding, "If the bison follows you, spray bear spray as you are moving away, and seek cover behind nearby trees or cars," the agency said.
ABC News said the grandson was shaken but doing OK, and it reported that the grandfather had successful surgery and is expected to recover based on the family’s account.
The incident was described as the second bison attack at Yellowstone this year, with CNN noting that "A 12-year-old was injured near Mud Volcano on June 26," underscoring the recurring risk to visitors in the park.