18-year-old tourist dies in Central Park horse-carriage accident, fueling ban debate
An 18-year-old tourist died Wednesday after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage that overturned in New York's Central Park. The incident has intensified calls for a ban on the controversial rides.
The accident
On Wednesday afternoon, a horse-drawn carriage carrying four tourists overturned on a crowded loop in Central Park. Witness Tattiana Bresler said the horse “got spooked and started running super fast.” Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old visiting from India with his family, was thrown from the carriage when it struck another and tipped over. He suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The other two passengers were unharmed.
The horse got scared and started running super fast. A passerby managed to slow it down a bit before the accident, but couldn’t stop it.
- Driver dismounts to take a photo of the family.
- Horse spooks and bolts across the park.
- Carriage strikes another and overturns, ejecting Romanch Mahajan.
- Mahajan transported to Weill Cornell Medical Center with head injuries.
- Mahajan pronounced dead at hospital.
Investigation and response
Police said the exact circumstances remain under investigation, but initial reports indicate the driver had dismounted to take a photograph of the family. The horse, a seven-year-old named Sampson that had only been in the park for six weeks, bolted. Alexander Kemp, deputy administrative chief of the Transport Workers Union local representing carriage drivers, said drivers are never supposed to leave the carriage to take photos. The union suspended the driver indefinitely and took the horse out of service.
A driver should never leave the carriage to take photos. We support a full investigation.
Pressure mounts to ban carriages
The fatality comes at a tense moment for the 150-year-old horse-carriage industry. One week earlier, a carriage horse died in the park after eating a toxic plant. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he supports phasing out the rides, citing animal welfare and public safety. A bill introduced in 2022 by Queens council member Robert Holden awaits a city council vote. The Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park, released a statement saying it had called for a ban last year precisely because of such risks.
A young person came to enjoy our park and lost his life. That is not an acceptable cost for an antiquated industry operating in one of the most visited public spaces in America.
