A tragic accident occurred in Central Park, New York City, where an 18-year-old Indian tourist lost his life after being thrown from an overturned horse-drawn carriage. Law enforcement officials identified the victim as Romanch Mahajan. He sustained a severe head injury during the incident and was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident took place around 2:45 PM local time while Mahajan and three other passengers were enjoying a carriage ride. According to the carriage drivers' union, the driver had stepped away momentarily to capture a photograph of the group when the horse suddenly bolted. The horse raced onto the sidewalk and across the grass, with the driver in pursuit. The carriage then veered out of control, leading to one passenger falling off and the carriage colliding with another before overturning.
Alexander Kemp, vice-president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, stated, "It seems the driver was too far from his horse, which is unacceptable. A driver should never leave the carriage unattended for photos. We demand a thorough investigation." He noted that the horse, named Sampson, appeared unharmed and had only been working in the park for six weeks. The driver's name has not been disclosed.
Social media videos captured the carriage speeding around a corner before colliding with another carriage and flipping over. This incident has reignited calls from animal welfare advocates, local officials, and the Central Park Conservancy to abolish horse-drawn carriage rides in the park. Currently, approximately 100 carriage horses operate in Manhattan.
City Councilman Christopher Marte remarked, "This alarming incident involving a carriage horse in Central Park underscores the urgent need for action. Delaying a decision is no longer justifiable." Marte has proposed legislation to prohibit carriage horses by the end of next year. Edita Birnkrant, executive director of the advocacy group NYCLASS, emphasized that this incident exemplifies the inherent dangers of the industry, stating, "No amount of regulation can prevent these horses from becoming frightened and endangering lives, including their own."
The Central Park Conservancy reported eight horse-related incidents in or around the park since May 2025, including a recent event where a horse collided with another carriage, causing it to overturn. In January, another horse ran into traffic, resulting in multiple vehicle collisions. Additionally, a carriage horse named Deniz died last week after consuming Japanese yew, a toxic plant for horses. Birnkrant expressed concern, stating that NYCLASS had not previously recorded any fatalities involving the public in horse carriage accidents. "We warned that someone would die, and now it has happened," she lamented. The group has urged New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to issue an executive order to ban carriage horses immediately, a stance the mayor has previously supported.
