The tragic death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan in a horse-drawn carriage accident in Central Park has reignited calls to end the industry in New York City.
NEW YORK — The recent death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, a recent high school graduate from Pathankot, Punjab, has intensified calls to phase out horse-drawn carriages in New York City. Mahajan died following an accident involving a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.
The incident occurred on June 17 during Mahajan’s first visit to the United States with his parents, Deepak and Priya Mahajan, and his younger brother. The family was celebrating his admission to a university in Jaipur after he had recently completed high school.
According to reports, while taking a carriage ride through Central Park, the driver briefly stepped away to take a photograph. During this moment, the horse bolted, causing the carriage to collide with another vehicle and overturn.
In the ensuing chaos, Priya Mahajan was thrown from the carriage. Deepak Mahajan recounted how his son jumped from the moving carriage in an attempt to assist his mother. “We were yelling, ‘Help me, help me!’” he recalled.
Romanch sustained a fatal head injury and was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His parents and younger brother sustained minor injuries in the incident.
This tragedy has reignited the debate surrounding the future of horse-drawn carriages in New York City. Reports indicate that this incident marks the first human fatality linked to Central Park’s horse carriage rides since their introduction over 150 years ago. Additionally, local reports have documented eight horse-related incidents in the park within the past 13 months.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform to end the horse carriage industry, reiterated his commitment to phasing out these rides. He stated that he would collaborate with the City Council, carriage operators, and animal welfare advocates to “deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all.”
In response to the incident, City Council leaders have scheduled a hearing next month regarding Ryder’s Law, legislation aimed at enhancing safety requirements for the horse carriage industry.
The Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers and owners, has suspended the driver involved in the accident and announced plans to retire the horse from service.
“We’re absolutely gutted and stunned by this tragedy. We’ve never had a fatal accident like this before,” said Alexander Kemp, vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100. He added that the stables would be temporarily closed while operators review safety procedures.
The Mahajan family is well-known in Pathankot for operating several local businesses, including a hotel, a travel company, and a jewelry store.
Romanch was a graduate of The Angel’s Public School in Pathankot. In a tribute on social media, the school described him as “a bright, humble, and promising young soul whose presence touched the hearts of his teachers and classmates alike.”
The tragic circumstances surrounding Romanch Mahajan’s death have not only affected his family but have also sparked a broader conversation about the safety and ethics of horse-drawn carriages in urban settings, particularly in a city as bustling as New York.
As the debate continues, many are left to ponder the future of this long-standing tradition in Central Park, weighing the joys of carriage rides against the potential risks they pose to both humans and animals.
According to India-West, the ongoing discussions and proposed legislative changes may shape the future of horse-drawn carriages in New York City.