Grandfather recovering from surgery after bison attack at Yellowstone sent him flying

Yellowstone Grandfather Survives Bison Encounter, Undergoes Surgery for Broken Femur

A Routine Family Trip Becomes a Medical Emergency

Grandfather recovering from surgery after bison – What began as an annual vacation for a grandfather and his young grandson transformed into an unexpected hospital visit following a dramatic bison confrontation at Yellowstone National Park. Carl McDaniel, a 65-year-old man, found himself hospitalized with a fractured femur after a massive bison charged and launched him skyward on Friday evening. The incident occurred at the park’s Bridge Bay Campground, according to both McDaniel himself and officials from the National Park Service.

McDaniel had traveled to the iconic park alongside his 13-year-old grandson. Following their evening meal, the pair decided to enjoy a leisurely stroll through the campground area. During their walk, they came across a sizable bison that seemed to be rolling in the dust. The animal appeared calm and was not disturbing other visitors, McDaniel recalled when speaking with CNN.

The Moment Everything Changed

“We were about a hundred yards away,” McDaniel explained. “He was not aggressive; he was not having problems and we took some pictures and decided to walk on.”

After capturing a quick photograph of the peaceful scene, the grandfather and grandson continued their journey. Video footage of the encounter reveals that simultaneously, a truck passed by, and its driver sounded the horn in what seemed like an effort to encourage the bison to move along. Unfortunately, the video contains no sound to confirm this detail.

According to McDaniel, the bison then appeared to become restless and started running directly toward the pair. The situation escalated rapidly.

“There was little time to decide what to do. At that point, he was within 100 yards; he could be to us in seconds, so I told my grandson to run in one direction and I went the other to try and draw him away,” McDaniel said.

The massive animal then pushed McDaniel with the top of its head, sending the grandfather flying through the air before he landed hard on the ground. McDaniel described the terrifying moment when the bison positioned itself directly over him.

“When I was on the ground immobile, unable to move, he was right on top of me. He could have stomped on me, he could have gored me, he could have done almost anything to take my life, and he did not do so,” McDaniel said.

Quick Thinking and Community Support

Photographer Mike MacLeod, who had been recording the encounter on video, stepped in to help. Speaking with Cowboy State Daily, MacLeod explained his reaction to the dangerous situation.

“I was really afraid he was going to gore the guy on the ground, so I stopped videotaping and ran at the bison, yelled loud, and was trying to be as big and intimidating as possible,” MacLeod said.

Once the bison moved away, bystanders immediately rushed to McDaniel’s aid. The grandfather was experiencing significant pain, and a nurse began treating his leg while another person held his head steady. Yellowstone emergency medical services arrived promptly to assist.

“Park emergency medical personnel responded and transported him to a nearby hospital,” the National Park Service confirmed in an official statement provided to CNN.

Recovery and Reflection

This incident marked the second bison attack at Yellowstone during 2026. Earlier in the year, on June 26, a 12-year-old child sustained injuries near Mud Volcano, according to park officials.

McDaniel expressed deep appreciation for the community that formed around him during the crisis. “All the people that were there were amazing; they were all positive, they were trying to help as best they could,” he shared.

During the two-hour journey to a hospital in Bozeman, McDaniel endured intense pain. He specifically mentioned gratitude toward the paramedic who assisted him throughout the transfer. Medical examination revealed that McDaniel had broken his femur—the body’s strongest bone—in four separate locations near his hip, along with multiple bruises.

Following surgery on Sunday, McDaniel expected to be able to stand by Monday. “I will be doing physical therapy for the next few days to get to walk, but it was not as catastrophic as it could have been,” he said.

The National Park Service continues to remind visitors to maintain a minimum distance of 25 yards from bison at all times and to never approach these powerful animals. If a bison begins following you, the agency recommends spraying bear spray while moving away and seeking protection behind nearby trees or vehicles.

CNN’s Sharif Paget contributed to this report.