Bison attack survivor speaks after dangerous encounter at Yellowstone

A bison attack at a Yellowstone National Park campground that was caught on camera and has gone viral left a 65-year-old Washington man hospitalized and recovering after he was launched into the air Friday night. The victim was identified as Carl McDaniel, 65, of Kendall, Washington, in Whatcom County. The incident happened at a campground near Yellowstone Lake. A park emergency medical crew responded and transported McDaniel to a nearby hospital. Mike MacLeod, who owns Studio MacLeod, a photography studio in Bozeman, MT, said he captured the attack on camera moments after he and his wife arrived to set up camp. He described how quickly the situation escalated. “So once I saw him in the air, it was a very different situation. I stopped filming and ran directly at the bison. Other campers saw me running and also ran,” MacLeod said. MacLeod said McDaniel was in pain but was more worried about his grandson, who was not hurt. “The grandfather kept running as best he could, trying to avoid the bison and then finally got hooked,” MacLeod said. “And at that point, the bison was standing right over the grandfather, extremely agitated. And I was really worried that he was going to gore him or step on him.” MacLeod said the bison eventually stopped and walked away. He estimated that about five minutes before the attack, his wife noticed the bison on the edge of the campground as it moved closer to tents and campers. He also noted the animal started kicking up dust, which he said is not uncommon during summer mating season. A few minutes later, MacLeod said McDaniel and his grandson were taking a walk, saw the bison, took a photo, and kept walking. MacLeod said the bison then charged at them as they continued to walk away. He said they were at least 100 yards away when the animal attacked. On its website, the National Park Service asks guests to keep 25 yards away. “The bison starts charging what I thought was the pickup truck. But you know, once the pickup leaves, you're like, Oh, he's not interested in the pickup truck. He wants those two poor guys and starts chasing them around the tree,” MacLeod said. “Fortunately, I think this is pretty rare. I think the Park Service guidelines that they tell you the distances and what to do and what not to do, if you follow them, it's kind of like getting struck by lightning,” MacLeod continued. In Whatcom County, McDaniel is described as well known in the community and works as a commissioner for the Columbia Valley Parks and Recreation. One of his colleagues described him as a “treasure to East Whatcom County.” According to the photographer, who said he has been in touch with McDaniel’s daughter and McDaniel himself, McDaniel broke his femur, had surgery, and faces a long road of physical therapy. KOMO News asked the National Park Service for more details, including why the bison attacked and whether summer mating season played a role. The agency confirmed the incident but provided no additional information. READ MORE: https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/... _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: 13 WHAM on Facebook:   / 13wham   13 WHAM on Twitter:   / 13wham   13WHAM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/13whamtv/?h... 13WHAM on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@13wham?lang=en 13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest:    • 13WHAM Local News Digest   For more information, visit https://13wham.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700 WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork