Identity of man tossed 8 feet into the air by massive bison in Yellowstone video revealed

The man who was violently tossed into the air by a charging bison at Yellowstone National Park has now been identified as Carl McDaniel, a longtime Washington state community leader known for decades of local volunteer work.

The attack happened Friday at Bridge Bay Campground, leaving the man with significant injuries after the animal hooked him with one of its horns before throwing him roughly eight feet into the air.

The incident was caught on camera by photographer Mike MacLeod, who was camping nearby when everything unfolded. The video shows the man walking through the campground with his grandson while the bison suddenly became aggressive.

According to The New York Times, McDaniel, who is from Bothell and is in his mid-60s, was left with multiple broken bones after the attack.

According to people who know McDaniel, he’s spent years serving his community. Cascadia Daily News reports that he’s lived in Kendall, Washington, for roughly 25 years and has held several public service roles over the years.

He has served as a commissioner for the Columbia Valley water and parks districts, sat on multiple local boards, and has even been described as someone willing to step in as Santa Claus when needed. He’s also served on the Whatcom County Surface Mining Advisory Committee and as a board member for the Foothills Community Alliance, helping improve local parks and strengthen the community.

Witness says the animal had already been acting aggressively

MacLeod said the bison had shown signs of aggressive behavior well before McDaniel arrived. According to him, the same bull had already charged toward a group of teenagers earlier that evening and seemed to be “charging anything and everything.”

“When he got up, it was kicking like a rodeo horse who’s clearly very agitated,” MacLeod recalled, according to VT.

When McDaniel and his grandson pulled up in a pickup truck and stepped out to photograph the bison, the animal quickly charged at them.

“As soon as they stop taking pictures, the bison stands up and the grandfather’s like, ‘Let’s get out of here. I don’t like this,’” MacLeod said about the situation.

The man and his grandson tried to get out of the animal’s path, but the bison continued after them. While the grandson managed to escape, the older man was chased, and the bull finally caught up with him.

“He stood right over Carl, and he was really, really angry,” MacLeod said, according to the outlet. “His head’s pumping up and down and he displayed all that aggressive behavior.”

“He was in a lot of pain”

MacLeod tried to distract the bull.

“Pumping my arms up and down, yelling at the top of my lungs and jumping up trying to look big and distracting,” he said.

Other people at the campground quickly joined in, and together they drove the bison away before emergency responders arrived. According to reports, a park ambulance arrived about 10 minutes later.

Despite his injuries, MacLeod said McDaniel remained positive.

“He was in a lot of pain with his leg, and otherwise he was conscious the whole time, in good spirits, joking,” he added.

The National Park Service has not released additional information about the incident.