YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (United States), July 15 — A 65-year-old tourist who was tossed about 2.4 metres into the air by a Yellowstone bison has survived the frightening encounter.

Now the 900kg bull gets to live too.

Yellowstone National Park officials said the bison involved in the July 10 incident at Bridge Bay Campground near Yellowstone Lake will not be euthanised and will face no management action, US news outlets reported.

Carl Isom-McDaniel, from Kendall, Washington, was visiting the campground with his 13-year-old grandson when the bull suddenly charged after they stopped to take a photo.

“When I was on the ground, unable to move, he was right on top of me,” Isom-McDaniel told CNN.

“He could have stomped on me. He could have gored me... and he did not.”

A photographer nearby captured the dramatic moment, showing the bison catching up with Isom-McDaniel and flipping him with its horn near his hip.

The tourist suffered a broken femur near his hip and underwent surgery on July 12, but said afterwards: “Thank you everyone. I am okay.”

Photographer Mike MacLeod said Isom-McDaniel appeared to have done nothing to provoke the animal and remained calm despite his injuries.

“It’s not his fault,” MacLeod told Cowboy State Daily, adding that the footage showed the bison was aggressive from the beginning.

Park officials said the bull was likely experiencing a surge of testosterone as mating season begins, which may have contributed to its behaviour.

Isom-McDaniel said he told his grandson to run in one direction while he moved the other way to draw the bison away, allowing the teenager to escape safely.

The bison was spared after officials determined no management action was needed following the incident.