Tragic Incident in Central Park Sparks Debate on Horse-Drawn Carriages

The Mahajan family was enjoying their third day in New York City when misfortune struck during a Central Park carriage ride. Deepak Mahajan, reflecting on the loss of his son Romanch, shared his sorrow with NBC News. The family’s trip to celebrate Romanch’s recent graduation and university admission ended in tragedy.

On Wednesday, Romanch, along with his parents, Priya and Deepak, and his 11-year-old brother Maanik, embarked on a horse-drawn carriage tour in Central Park. The ride concluded with the driver stepping away to take a family photo when the horse unexpectedly bolted.

“We never knew that this was the last day of his life,” Deepak Mahajan lamented.

Romanch fell from the carriage, striking his head on the pavement. Police reported his attempt to save his mother, who also fell. Romanch was taken to a hospital but later died, while the rest of the family sustained minor injuries.

Guarav Mahajan, Romanch’s uncle, described him as a kind-hearted teenager with ambitions to become an entrepreneur. “He had many brilliant ideas,” Guarav recalled.

The accident has led to a suspension of horse carriage rides in Central Park. The Transport Workers Union has ceased operations to review safety protocols. The union acknowledged that the driver was not supposed to leave the carriage unattended.

A video captured the runaway horse colliding with another carriage, resulting in passengers falling. The driver involved has been suspended, and the horse retired. Alexander Kemp of the union expressed condolences to the Mahajan family, calling the incident a profound tragedy.

Deepak Mahajan called for stricter safety measures to prevent similar incidents. The Consulate General of India in New York has offered support to the family.

This tragedy has revived calls to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. The Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park, emphasized the risks posed by such practices in highly visited public spaces.

New York City Council member Christopher Marte advocated for banning these carriages, citing threats to both people and horses. Recent horse-related incidents in the park raised further concerns, including the recent death of a carriage horse.

Support for Ryder’s Law has grown among advocates, aiming to ban the horse-drawn carriages and provide alternative jobs for drivers. The Transport Workers Union supports reforms to improve horse welfare and job protection, suggesting practical measures like installing hitching posts.