Home Uncategorized CENTRAL PARK HORSE CARRIAGE RIDES HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY PAUSED AFTER THE DEATH OF AN 18-YEAR-OLD TOURIST, PROMPTING URGENT REVIEW OF SAFETY PROCEDURES AND A WAVE OF REACTION ACROSS NEW YORK CITY. The suspension comes as authorities and city officials respond to the incident, which occurred during a carriage ride in Central Park and resulted in the tragic death of the young visitor. Emergency services were called to the scene, and an investigation has since been launched to determine exactly what happened and whether safety protocols were properly followed. In response, operations involving horse-drawn carriages in the area have been halted pending further review. The move has reignited long-running debate in the city over the regulation of carriage rides, with renewed scrutiny on working conditions, public safety standards, and oversight. As the investigation continues, officials say more details will be released once facts are confirmed.

CENTRAL PARK HORSE CARRIAGE RIDES HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY PAUSED AFTER THE DEATH OF AN 18-YEAR-OLD TOURIST, PROMPTING URGENT REVIEW OF SAFETY PROCEDURES AND A WAVE OF REACTION ACROSS NEW YORK CITY. The suspension comes as authorities and city officials respond to the incident, which occurred during a carriage ride in Central Park and resulted in the tragic death of the young visitor. Emergency services were called to the scene, and an investigation has since been launched to determine exactly what happened and whether safety protocols were properly followed. In response, operations involving horse-drawn carriages in the area have been halted pending further review. The move has reignited long-running debate in the city over the regulation of carriage rides, with renewed scrutiny on working conditions, public safety standards, and oversight. As the investigation continues, officials say more details will be released once facts are confirmed.

Uncategorized · 20/06/2026 · comments off

Romanch Mahajan died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage on Wednesday, June 17

A damaged horse carriage is pictured being removed from Central Park after it overturned on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Manhattan.
A damaged horse carriage is pictured being removed from Central Park after it overturned on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Manhattan.Credit : Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • An 18-year-old tourist from India died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park
  • Carriage drivers are pausing operations for safety training and reviewing protocols following the tragic incident
  • A July hearing will address Ryder’s Law, which proposes banning horse carriages and offering drivers job placement services

After an 18-year-old tourist from India died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage on Wednesday, June 17, the union representing carriage drivers has announced that carriage rides in Central Park will pause for the weekend.

The Local 100 chapter of the Transport Workers Union of America announced in a press release obtained by PEOPLE that a “safety stand-down” is in effect from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21.

“There will be no rides,” the press release states. “Horses, however, need exercise to remain healthy and fit. Drivers and stable staff will take them out of the barns for that purpose but that purpose only.”

Drivers are set to participate in group meetings “to go over safety rules and protocols regarding carriage operations, including how to secure and maintain control of carriage horses at all times,” according to the press release.

While “refresher training” will shift to Central Park with horse-drawn carriages on Monday, June 22, the Transport Workers Union said that no passenger tours will be conducted until Tuesday, June 23.

Romanch Mahajan, 18, was visiting New York City from India on June 17 when he and his younger brother, along with their parents, decided to take a horse-drawn carriage ride, according to The New York Times.

Central Park.
Stock image of Central Park.Getty

The teenager asked the driver to take a photo of the group, prompting the driver to stop the carriage.

It was when the driver stood back from the carriage to take the picture that the horse took off, Romanch’s father Deepak Mahajan alleged, per the outlet.

Deepak said that as the driver ran behind the carriage, Romanch’s mother, Priya, fell out, prompting Romanch to attempt to save her, but he fell off the carriage himself, striking his head on the pavement, according to The Times.

The New York City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that the 18-year-old was taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

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Overturned horse carriage on a street with emergency responders and vehicles nearby

There were no other injuries reported at this time, and an investigation into the incident remains ongoing, according to the NYPD.

“Our hearts go out to the family of Romanch Mahajan. Words can’t express the enormity of this tragedy. We are taking the first steps towards addressing safety issues,” said Alexander Kemp, Administrative Vice President, Transport Workers Union Local 100, in a press statement.

“Carriage rides have been a Central Park experience since it opened in 1858, and the City issued the first carriage horse medallions in the late 1940s,” his statement continued.

“This is believed to be the first passenger fatality in all that time, but we are committed to a Vision Zero approach where we do all that we can, collaborating with the City, to improve safety and prevent any accidents from occurring as we move forward,” the statement said.

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City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced Wednesday that a hearing will be held in July regarding Ryder’s Law, legislation that would ban horse-drawn carriage rides and provide the drivers with job placement services.

The Central Park Conservancy said in a press release that it supported the passage of Ryder’s Law, and that there have been eight horse-related incidents in Central Park over the past thirteen months.

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