Tourist Injured After Bison Throws Him Several Feet Into The Air At Yellowstone
on Jul 13, 2026
A man suffered serious injuries Friday (July 10) after an agitated bull bison charged through a campground, sending campers scrambling before launching him several feet into the air.
The attack occurred at Bridge Bay Campground, just south of Fishing Bridge, and was captured on video by professional photographer Mike MacLeod.
According to reports, the man, now identified as Carl Isom-McDaniel, was walking with his grandson when the bull bison suddenly targeted them from an estimated 100 yards away. The distance was well beyond Yellowstone National Park’s requirement that visitors stay at least 25 yards from bison.
The incident occured just weeks after a 12-year-old was injured by a bison in Yellowstone in June.
Details That Led To The Bison Attack
The footage reveals the animal had already been behaving aggressively.
Before Carl and his grandson came into view, the bull had reportedly charged toward a group of children who were taking photos from what appeared to be a safe distance. The children quickly scattered, and the bison eventually stopped to wallow in a patch of dirt.
Moments later, Carl and the boy came around the corner as the bison turned its attention toward them. The animal then charged and began chasing them in and out of trees before it finally reached the older gentleman and launched him several feet into the air.
Carl is reportedly a retiree who was visiting the park from Kendall, Washington. He suffered multiple broken bones as a result of the incident.
The National Park Service has not released any official details about the incident.
According to the National Park Service, bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other wild animal. While the number of incidents varies from year to year, the park typically reports only a handful of injuries annually, with most occurring after visitors get too close to the animals.
Park regulations require visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from bison and other large animals. Despite those rules, many injuries have been linked to people approaching bison for photos or failing to move away when the animals become agitated. Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and sprint at speeds of up to 35 mph, making them one of Yellowstone’s most dangerous animals.
