NEW YORK, NY — A horse-drawn carriage accident in Central Park turned fatal Wednesday afternoon, leaving 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan dead after he was taken to a hospital with multiple injuries. The owner of the carriage later said the driver involved has been suspended indefinitely, and the horse in the incident has been retired.
The crash happened near Tavern on the Green, according to the Central Park Conservancy. The conservancy said a startled horse broke free and struck another carriage.
What do officials say happened near Tavern on the Green?
According to the Central Park Conservancy, the horse was carrying passengers when it became startled and broke loose, leading to a collision with another carriage. Mahajan, who was 18, was seriously hurt in the crash and later died at a hospital.
The conservancy said the incident happened on Wednesday afternoon in one of the park’s busiest areas. It did not provide additional details about what startled the animal.
Why was the driver suspended after the crash?
The union representing carriage workers said the events leading up to the death were unacceptable. In a statement quoted by PIX11, TWU Local 100 said the driver was reportedly several feet away from the carriage while taking photos of passengers, something the union said drivers are not supposed to do.
The carriage owner responded by suspending the driver indefinitely, according to the report. The owner also decided to retire the horse involved in the crash.
How did the Central Park Conservancy respond?
The Central Park Conservancy offered condolences to Mahajan’s family and used the tragedy to renew its call for Ryder’s Law, a proposal that would effectively ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. The group said the death highlighted concerns about public safety and public health in a crowded urban park.
In its statement, the conservancy said a young man came to enjoy the park and lost his life, calling that outcome unacceptable.
What happens next for carriage safety in the park?
The conservancy said the death is believed to be the first human fatality linked to the horse-drawn carriage industry. The broader debate over safety in Central Park also includes concerns about e-bicycles, delivery vehicles, pedicabs, and carriages operating in the same space.
For now, the immediate response centers on the suspended driver, the retired horse, and continuing questions about whether changes are needed in the park’s transportation system.
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