Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old Indian teenager, died in New York’s Central Park after falling from a horse-drawn carriage while trying to save his mother.
Romanch and his family were on vacation in New York from India, marking his recent high school graduation and admission to Manipal University Jaipur.
According to the police, the incident occurred when the driver stepped away to take a photograph of the family in the carriage when the horse suddenly bolted, struck another carriage, overturned, and broke apart.
Romanch’s father said the boy tried to save his mother after she fell from the carriage when it began to flip. Romanch reportedly jumped down to help her but hit his head on the ground and became unconscious. He was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was declared dead later that night. The New York Times news outlet reported that the remaining family members suffered minor injuries.
The carriage drivers’ union responded to the incident, criticising the driver for stepping away from the horse.
Vice President of Transport Workers Union Local 100 Alexander Kemp said, “It appears the driver was at least at arm’s length from his horse. This is unacceptable. A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos – ever. We support a full investigation.”
The union confirmed that they suspended the driver pending investigation and also retired the seven-year-old horse, Sampson, involved in the incident.
The Central Park Conservancy condemned the incident, stating, “A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life. That is not an acceptable cost of an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most heavily used public spaces in America.”
Calls to ban horse-drawn carriages
The incident renewed demands from lawmakers and animal welfare activists to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, citing safety incidents involving horses and visitors. A horse had also died last week after collapsing while pulling a carriage through the park.
“These incidents are not isolated. We must pass Ryder’s Law, end this outdated industry, and ensure a just transition for workers,” said New York City Council member Shahana Hanif.
Ryder’s Law, if passed, will require the city to stop issuing new carriage licenses and phase out the rides over two years.
