Carl McDaniel, a 65-year-old grandfather from Washington State, was hurled into the air by a bison at Yellowstone National Park on Friday evening. Despite suffering a broken femur in four places, McDaniel claims the beast that attacked him was actually quite gentle.
The incident occurred at Bridge Bay Compound near Yellowstone Lake in the national park, where McDaniel and his grandson were walking by at around 8:30 pm. The bison, which had already been roaming the campground and charging at other campers, became frustrated and chased McDaniel through the trees. Once it caught up to him, it hooked him with one of its horns and aggressively flung him into the air.
According to eyewitness Mike MacLeod, a Montana photographer who captured the ordeal, the bison was extremely agitated and had been kicking like a rodeo horse before attacking McDaniel. MacLeod described the scene as "heart-stopping" and said that the bison stood right over McDaniel, displaying all its aggressive behavior. However, despite its aggressive display, the bison did not leave, and it was only when MacLeod and other onlookers joined in, distracting the creature with noise and movement, that it eventually ran off.
McDaniel's grandson was able to flee and lose the beast, but the grandfather was not as lucky. Despite being in a lot of pain, McDaniel was conscious and joking throughout the ordeal, even managing to make light of his situation. At one point, MacLeod joked to McDaniel that, as a former US Army paratrooper, he gave the landing a 9.5 out of 10, and McDaniel replied that if he had been caught five years ago, he could have done much better.
The incident has raised questions about park regulations, which require visitors to stay at least 75 feet from the bison at all times. However, MacLeod has insisted that McDaniel and his grandson did not ask for the attack and that everyone he observed that day kept a respectful distance. The bison's behavior has also been attributed to its mating season, when the males of the species have increased testosterone levels.
Despite his ordeal, McDaniel remains concerned about his grandson's safety and has been mainly focused on making sure it was not his fault that the beast attacked. As he waits to undergo further physical therapy, McDaniel's resilience and good humor are a testament to his strength and character. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and following park regulations, and it will likely be remembered for its shocking and unexpected turn of events.
Source: Daily Mail
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