An 18-year-old tourist from India, Romanch Mahajan, tragically lost his life in an accident involving a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, New York City, on Tuesday, June 16. The incident occurred while Mahajan was enjoying a family visit to the city alongside his parents and younger brother.
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According to reports from his father, Deepak Mahajan, the family had requested the driver to stop the carriage for a photograph. However, as the driver stepped back to capture the moment, the horse, named Sampson, suddenly bolted, leading to chaos. As the carriage overturned, Mahajan’s mother, Priya, fell from the vehicle. In a desperate attempt to save her, Romanch also fell, hitting his head on the pavement.
Deepak Mahajan recounted the harrowing moments, sharing how the family cried out for help. “We were yelling, ‘Help me, help me!'” he told The New York Times, adding that his son was desperately calling for his mother as the incident unfolded. The carriage ultimately collided with another nearby carriage, exacerbating the situation.
Following the accident, Romanch was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. The New York Police Department confirmed the incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time, highlighting the extreme nature of the tragedy.
Witnesses reported the rapid pace of the horse before the accident. Md Shafi Islam, who operates a nearby food stand, described the panic that ensued. “The horse was going so fast — he was running and running,” Islam stated, expressing his concerns that a serious accident was imminent. His account underscores the need for greater safety measures in such public spaces.
In the wake of this tragic event, Alexander Kemp, Administrative Vice President of Transport Workers Union Local 100, voiced the union’s sorrow over the loss. He called for a renewed focus on safety within Central Park, highlighting the need for improvements for various modes of transportation, including horse-drawn carriages. The carriage driver involved has been suspended indefinitely, and the horse, Sampson, who had only been working in Central Park for six weeks, will now be retired.
The Central Park Conservancy extended condolences to Mahajan’s family, lamenting that such a tragic incident should occur in a space intended for enjoyment. In a statement, they referred to the loss of Romanch as unacceptable and called for more stringent regulations in light of what they described as an “antiquated industry.”
The Conservancy reiterated its support for Ryder’s Law, a proposed regulation aimed at banning horse-drawn carriages in the city and providing alternative employment opportunities for drivers. This tragic incident follows another recent occurrence in Central Park, where a 16-year-old horse collapsed and died during a carriage ride, adding to concerns about the treatment of horses in the industry.
As the community grieves Romanch Mahajan’s passing, discussions about safety reforms and the future of horse-drawn carriages in New York City have been reignited. The ramifications of this accident are likely to resonate deeply, prompting calls for action to prevent further tragedies in the popular urban park.