A 65-year-old grandfather who was violently attacked by a bison at Yellowstone National Park has spoken publicly about the incident from his hospital bed, offering new details about the moments before the animal charged and how he worked to shield his young grandson from harm.
Carl Isom-McDaniel was visiting the famous Wyoming park with his grandson when a bison suddenly charged, launching him more than eight feet into the air. Speaking with CBS News from Bozeman Health hospital on Monday, Isom-McDaniel recalled the attack while recovering from surgery to repair his fractured femur.
From Calm to Chaos in Seconds
According to Isom-McDaniel, the situation escalated with little warning. The bison appeared calm initially, giving no indication of the violence to come.
“We saw the bison, and he was down. He wasn’t showing aggression or anything like that until it picked a target,” Isom-McDaniel told CBS News. “That target happened to be me.”
Video footage of the incident, which was captured by veteran photographer Mike MacLeod and quickly went viral, shows Isom-McDaniel’s grandson present at the beginning of the encounter. The young boy managed to escape as the animal advanced. Isom-McDaniel explained how he deliberately positioned himself between the bison and his grandson as the situation unfolded.
“At the time, I had my grandson with me,” he stated. “It was like, you need to get up to the amphitheater. I will deal with this down here.”
A Moment of Terror
Isom-McDaniel described the bison’s speed and aggression as the animal closed in on him, emphasizing how quickly the encounter turned dangerous.
“They move faster than you could ever imagine. He just kept coming and he was more aggressive,” he said. “As soon as he got off that tree, he launched me into the air.”
The grandfather said that even after being thrown and landing on the ground, he feared the animal might continue its attack. “Even though I was on the ground he could have stomped me, he could have gored me, he could have done anything,” Isom-McDaniel added.
Keeping Spirits High Despite Serious Injury
MacLeod, who witnessed and filmed the attack, told Fox News that Isom-McDaniel maintained remarkably high spirits immediately after the incident. The photographer reported that the tourist even managed to crack a joke in the moments following the attack and made certain his grandson was unharmed before focusing on his own condition.
Despite the frightening nature of the encounter and his serious injuries, Isom-McDaniel is expected to make a full recovery. He underwent surgery at the Montana hospital to repair his femur, which broke in four separate places during the attack.
Wildlife Encounters at America’s First National Park
The incident serves as another reminder of the dangers posed by Yellowstone’s wildlife. Bison, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, are responsible for more injuries to visitors at Yellowstone than any other animal. Park officials consistently warn visitors to maintain a safe distance of at least 25 yards from bison and other large animals.
While Isom-McDaniel recovers from his injuries, his quick thinking to direct his grandson to safety likely prevented what could have been an even more tragic outcome. The grandfather’s actions underscore both the unpredictability of wildlife behavior and the protective instincts that kicked in during a moment of crisis.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/grandfather-attacked-by-yellowstone-bison-speaks-out-from-hospital-bed