Fatal Carriage Incident
Teenager dies after being ejected from a bolting horse-drawn carriage in NYC's Central Park.
An 18-year-old visitor from India died Wednesday after being thrown from a runaway horse-drawn carriage in New York City's Central Park. Associated Press identified the victim as Romanch Mahajan, who was riding with his family of four near West 67th Street when the horse bolted at around 2:45 p.m.
The carriage clipped another cab's wheel and overturned. Mahajan was violently thrown to the pavement and rushed to Weill-Cornell Medical Center. The NYPD confirmed his death at 7:15 p.m., according to CBS New York. The tragedy struck just eight days after a carriage horse named Deniz collapsed and died in the same park.
Driver Left Horse Unattended to Take a Photo
The carriage's driver had dismounted to take a photograph when the horse bolted, according to West Side Rag. The horse then ran loose through the park before the carriage struck another cab and overturned. Three passengers were thrown or jumped from the carriage. Mahajan suffered the most severe injuries.
The Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage drivers, condemned the driver's actions immediately. Alexander Kemp, the union's administrative vice president, said: "A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos — ever. We support a full investigation," according to CBS New York.
A Second Death in Eight Days Rocks the Industry
On June 9, a 16-year-old horse named Deniz collapsed and died near East 90th Street while pulling two passengers. A necropsy by Cornell University found Deniz had eaten Japanese yew, a toxic ornamental plant, according to ABC Audio. The TWU blamed the Central Park Conservancy for planting the toxic shrubs. The Conservancy fired back, noting that city law strictly bans drivers from letting horses eat park vegetation.
The Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit that manages the park, released a statement after Mahajan's death: "That this frightening situation is just days after the previous one underscores the dangers," according to Associated Press. The Conservancy has shifted from a neutral position to actively opposing the carriage industry, citing public safety in an "increasingly crowded Park."
Ryder's Law Gets New Urgency After Fatal Crash
Council Member Christopher Marte reintroduced "Ryder's Law" — a bill to ban horse carriages and replace them with electric vehicles — on June 11, just days before the crash. The bill, known as Intro 0967, now has 22 co-sponsors in the 51-member City Council, according to City & State New York. A majority vote would make it law. Marte said after Mahajan's death: "I think we have a lot of momentum and a lot of wind in our sails."
The law is named after a horse named Ryder who collapsed in Hell's Kitchen in August 2022. PETA Director Ashley Byrne pushed hard for quick action: "How many more disasters have to strike before we get these beleaguered horses out of the park? Stop dithering and pass Ryder's Law immediately." The industry has operated in New York City for over 150 years, with 68 active medallions and roughly 200 horses currently in service, according to Associated Press.
Mayor Mamdani Faces a Difficult Choice Between Unions and Reform
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is caught between two core constituencies. He supports removing carriages but has pledged to work with union partners. "I support removing horse carriages from Central Park. I've also said that I look forward to working with union partners and community leaders to actually deliver on that," he said, per City & State New York. The TWU frames a ban as a threat to a largely immigrant workforce.
The Mahajan family, visiting from India, is expected to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the carriage company, according to West Side Rag. The lawsuit would focus on the driver's decision to leave the horse unattended. The Central Park Conservancy counted at least 7 horse-related incidents in the park over the last 13 months. The NYC Council was scheduled to hold a stated meeting on June 18, with the carriage industry's future expected to dominate debate.
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