Yellowstone Bison Breaks 65-Year-Old Man’s Femur in 4 Places After Charge
Updated
Updated · CNN International · Jul 13
Yellowstone Bison Breaks 65-Year-Old Man’s Femur in 4 Places After Charge
3 articles · Updated · CNN International · Jul 13
Summary
Carl McDaniel, 65, said he underwent surgery Sunday after a bison at Yellowstone’s Bridge Bay Campground tossed him into the air, breaking his femur in four places near his hip.
A truck driver’s horn appeared to agitate the animal Friday evening after McDaniel and his 13-year-old grandson had taken photos from about 100 yards away and started walking on.
Photographer Mike MacLeod said he ran at the bison and yelled when McDaniel lay immobile on the ground, after which bystanders and Yellowstone EMS helped transport him to a hospital in Bozeman.
McDaniel said he could stand by Monday and was starting physical therapy, calling the outcome less catastrophic than it could have been.
Yellowstone said the attack was the park’s second bison incident of 2026 and again urged visitors to stay at least 25 yards away.