A tourist sustained critical injuries after being attacked by a bull bison at Yellowstone National Park on Friday evening, with the animal tossing him nearly eight feet into the air before he crashed to the ground. The incident occurred at the Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge, where the bison had reportedly been behaving aggressively and charging at both visitors and vehicles. Park emergency personnel responded quickly and transported the injured man for medical treatment.

According to eyewitnesses, the tourist was walking with his young grandson when they encountered the bison. Professional photographer Mike MacLeod, who witnessed the attack, said the pair had initially maintained a distance of about 100 yards from the animal. He added that the bison had earlier charged at a group of children taking photographs, but they managed to move out of its path as campers warned others in the area about the danger.

Witnesses said the bison later rolled in a patch of dirt, a common behaviour among the species, and appeared to have calmed down. Believing the immediate threat had passed, the grandfather and grandson briefly stopped to take photographs before moving behind a group of trees. Moments later, a white pickup truck drove past, apparently agitating the animal once again. Instead of pursuing the vehicle, the bison turned and charged toward the trees where the pair had taken cover.

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The grandson managed to escape unharmed, but the older man was chased around the trees by the bison. The animal eventually caught up with him, hooked him with one of its horns and flung him high into the air before he landed heavily on the ground. Witnesses said the bison remained standing near the injured man in an agitated state, raising fears of another attack before bystanders intervened.

According to MacLeod, several witnesses shouted and ran toward the bison in an effort to distract it. Their actions succeeded in driving the animal away, allowing other visitors to reach the injured tourist until emergency responders arrived. The man's grandson later said his grandfather had suffered serious injuries and remained in critical condition following the attack.

The National Park Service has repeatedly warned visitors that bison are wild and unpredictable animals capable of weighing up to 2,000 pounds and running nearly three times faster than humans. Park authorities advise visitors to remain at least 25 yards (23 metres) away from bison and other large wildlife, warning that approaching them too closely can result in severe injuries or even death. Officials continue to urge visitors to respect wildlife safety guidelines while exploring Yellowstone National Park.

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