‘IN GOOD SPIRITS’: Grandfather Launched 8 Feet Into Air by Rampaging Yellowstone Bison Identified as He Cracks Jokes From Hospital Bed
HE WAS FLUNG 8 FEET INTO THE AIR! 🦬😱
A quiet evening walk with his grandson at Yellowstone’s Bridge Bay Campground turned into a scene of absolute terror for 65-year-old Carl Isom-McDaniel. A massive, 2,000-pound bull bison suddenly went on a violent rampage, charging directly at the grandfather. What happened next—captured in a jaw-dropping viral video—will leave you completely breathless.
Despite maintaining a respectful distance, Carl was singled out by the enraged beast, hooked by its horn, and launched high into the air. But the most unbelievable part of this entire nightmare isn’t just the bone-shattering impact—it’s how he reacted while lying on the ground waiting for paramedics to arrive.
Read the full, shocking update on Carl’s condition and see the wild footage that has park rangers on high alert 👇👇👇
The 65-year-old grandfather who was violently flipped like a ragdoll by an enraged bull bison has been identified as Carl Isom-McDaniel of Kendall, Washington.
The terrifying encounter, which occurred on the evening of Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake, was captured in a heart-stopping video by a professional photographer. The footage shows the 2,000-pound beast hooking Isom-McDaniel and launching him roughly eight feet into the air.
Despite suffering a broken femur and multiple other fractures, those close to the victim say he is remarkably “in good spirits” and was even cracking jokes with paramedics on the way to the hospital.
[ THE MOMENT OF IMPACT ]
============================================================
/\ (Carl flipped 8ft high)
/ \
/ \
/ \
[Bridge Bay _ / \ _ [Grandson Fled]
Campground] /_\ \_\ (Escaped unharmed)
^
|
[2,000lb Bull Bison] ===> Charged through trees
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A Quiet Walk Turns Deadly
Carl Isom-McDaniel was enjoying a summer camping trip with his 13-year-old grandson when the peaceful evening shattered.
According to eyewitness Mike MacLeod, a professional photographer and former Army combat photographer who filmed the incident, a massive bull bison had been wandering through the campground area displaying highly agitated behavior. The animal had already bluff-charged a group of children and even rammed a passing white pickup truck before turning its sights on the grandfather and grandson.
Unlike many infamous Yellowstone wildlife incidents, MacLeod emphasized that Isom-McDaniel did absolutely nothing wrong and was respecting park boundaries.
“I didn’t see anybody getting close,” MacLeod told local outlets. “People kept their distance. They were very respectful.”
As the bison began to rise from the dust, Isom-McDaniel immediately sensed danger and told his grandson, “OK, time to leave,” guiding the teenager behind a cluster of trees for safety.
The 8-Foot Toss and Bystander Heroism
But the trees weren’t enough to stop the territorial beast. The bison pursued them, bypassing the grandson and locking onto the 65-year-old.
“The bison hooked him with his left horn on his hip and tossed him in the air,” MacLeod recounted. “He made a perfect flip and landed on his side. The victim was several feet above the bison.”
As Isom-McDaniel lay helpless on the ground, the agitated bull loomed over him. Fearing the animal would gore the grandfather to death, MacLeod and several brave bystanders put their own lives on the line. They stopped filming, screamed, ran toward the animal, and waved their arms to look as large as possible, successfully driving the bison away.
[ CHRONOLOGY OF THE ATTACK ]
Step 1: Bison enters campground, agitated by a passing white truck.
Step 2: Carl & grandson spot the beast from dozens of yards away and retreat.
Step 3: Bison ignores truck, charges into the trees, and targets Carl.
Step 4: Carl is gored and flipped 8 feet into the air.
Step 5: Quick-thinking campers scream and rush the bison to scare it off.
Despite being in excruciating pain with a shattered femur, Isom-McDaniel kept his wits about him. Witnesses noted he was remarkably calm, remaining conscious and talking to responders.
Internet Reacts: Respect for the Grandpa, Fear of the “Rut”
Once the footage hit social media platforms like X, Reddit, and TikTok, it immediately went viral. Users were quick to praise the grandfather’s instant reaction to protect his grandson, while others noted the seasonal dangers of the park.
On Reddit’s r/nationalparks, users pointed out the timing of the attack:
“People need to realize that July/August is the bison rut (mating season). The bulls are absolutely pumped full of testosterone right now and are looking for a fight. Even if you stay the required 25 yards away, they can cover that distance in two seconds.”
— Reddit User
On X, many commended Carl’s incredible resilience:
“To get thrown 8 feet in the air by a 2,000-pound animal, break your leg, and still be cracking jokes with the EMTs is next-level tough. Get well soon, Carl!”
— X User
Others on TikTok highlighted how rare it is to see a victim who actually followed the rules:
“Normally these videos are of tourists trying to pet the ‘fluffy cows.’ But this poor grandpa was actually trying to get away and keep his grandkid safe. Respect to the bystanders who ran in to save him.”
— TikTok Comment
What Lies Ahead: Recovery and “No Action” Against the Bison
While Isom-McDaniel underwent emergency surgery to repair his leg and is reportedly already trying to stand, his road to recovery will be a long one.
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YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE RULES
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ANIMAL TYPE | MANDATORY SAFE DISTANCE
--------------------------------------|---------------------------------
- Bison, Elk, Deer, Bighorn Sheep | 25 Yards (75 feet / 23 meters)
- Bears and Wolves | 100 Yards (300 feet / 91 meters)
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Following a thorough review of the incident, park officials announced that “no management action” will be taken against the bull bison. Because the animal was acting on natural territorial instincts during the mating season and was further triggered by campground vehicle traffic, it will not be euthanized or removed from the park.
This incident marks the second bison-related injury in Yellowstone in 2026, following an attack on a 12-year-old child in June.
Park officials have issued a stern reminder to all summer visitors: bison may look slow and docile, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour and weigh up to a ton. During the rut, the safest place to view them is from inside a vehicle.
