Indian Teen Dies After Central Park Carriage Fall

Romanch Mahajan, 18, died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park on a family trip celebrating his high school graduation. He jumped from the carriage after his mother fell out and hit his head on the ground. The family arrived in New York from India on Monday, the same day Romanch learned he had been accepted to a university in Jaipur.

They had visited several tourist sites before boarding the carriage for an evening ride. The driver stepped off to photograph the family when the horse bolted. The carriage clipped another horse-drawn vehicle and toppled over.

Deepak Mahajan, his wife, and younger son escaped with minor injuries. ” as he jumped. “This incident should be taken very seriously,” he said. ” The company that owns the carriage suspended the driver indefinitely.

The horse involved will be retired from the business, according to the Transport Workers Union Local 100. Alexander Kemp, a vice president with the union, said the stables have been shuttered and operations ceased while safety protocols are reviewed. “We’re absolutely gutted and stunned by this tragedy,” he said.

The Central Park Conservancy said Mahajan’s death is believed to be the first human fatality involving a horse carriage since they were introduced more than 150 years ago. The organization noted eight horse-related incidents in the park over the past 13 months and called for the industry to be suspended until more protections are put in place.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated support for ending the horse carriage industry.

City Council leaders said they will hold a hearing next month on legislation that would ban the carriages and help drivers transition to new jobs. Horse carriages cost about $72 for the first 20 minutes. They were not operating in the park on Thursday.