An 18-year-old tourist has died after a horse-drawn carriage ride in New York City’s Central Park turned into a deadly accident.
The victim was identified in reports as Romanch Mahajan, a tourist from India. He was riding in a carriage with other passengers when the horse suddenly became startled and bolted through the park.
According to reports, the carriage driver had stepped away from the coach to take a photo of the passengers when the horse began running. The carriage then moved out of control and later collided with another carriage before flipping over.
Mahajan was thrown from the carriage and suffered a serious head injury. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries. Other passengers were reportedly not seriously hurt.
The horse involved in the incident was identified as Sampson. Officials said the animal was stabilized after the crash and is expected to be retired from carriage work. The driver has reportedly been suspended while the incident is investigated.
The tragedy has renewed debate over horse-drawn carriages in New York City. Animal welfare advocates and some lawmakers have long argued that carriage horses do not belong in busy urban parks and streets. They are again calling for stronger action, including a proposed ban known as Ryder’s Law.
Supporters of the carriage industry argue that the trade is part of New York City’s history and that reforms, not a full ban, are the better solution. However, this fatal crash has increased pressure on city officials to review safety rules.
The incident comes shortly after another carriage horse died in Central Park earlier this month, adding to public concern about the safety of the industry for both people and animals.
For now, investigators are reviewing what happened, including why the horse bolted, whether safety rules were followed and what steps could prevent another tragedy.
