Carl McDaniel, a 65-year-old grandfather from Washington state, was seriously injured after being tossed approximately 8 feet into the air by an agitated bull bison at Yellowstone National Park's Bridge Bay Campground near Lake Yellowstone on the evening of July 10, 2026. The incident, captured on video and viewed by over a million social media users, showed McDaniel and his grandson at a respectful distance from the estimated 2,000-pound bison when the animal charged.

McDaniel sustained severe injuries, including broken bones. Despite his pain, he remained conscious and in good spirits, even joking during the ordeal, according to Mike MacLeod, a photographer who recorded the event and assisted McDaniel afterward. MacLeod, a former combat photographer with a degree in wildlife biology, noted that it was clear to witnesses that neither McDaniel nor his grandson, who was unharmed, provoked the attack.

The National Park Service advises visitors to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears, wolves, and cougars, and a minimum of 25 yards from other wildlife such as bison and elk. In a statement to the media, the service confirmed the injury but provided no further details.

McDaniel is known locally for his community involvement, serving on several boards near his home in Kendall, Washington. The Wyoming news outlet Cowboy State Daily posted the video of the encounter on YouTube, bringing widespread attention to the incident.

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