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Indian teen’s Central Park death rekindles carriage ban calls
The death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, an Indian has renewed calls from city officials and animal welfare advocates to phase out the city's horse-drawn carriage industry.
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Ankita Baidya - Fri, 19, Jun 2026
- 04:32 EDT
- 42
Screengrab from a memorial poster by Romanch's school administration. / Angel's Public School, Mamun
The death of an 18-year-old Indian student in a horse-carriage accident in New York City's Central Park has reignited calls to end the city's horse-drawn carriage industry, with elected officials and animal welfare advocates renewing demands for stricter safety measures and a phaseout of the practice.
Romanch Mahajan was killed when a horse pulling the carriage carrying him and his family reportedly bolted from its driver and overturned the vehicle. According to reports, Mahajan died while attempting to help his mother after she fell from the carriage and struck her head during the accident.
Mahajan had recently graduated from high school and had been admitted to a university in Jaipur. He was visiting New York with his parents and younger brother on a family trip from India when the incident occurred.
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His father, Deepak Mahajan, told The New York Times that the family had arrived in New York just days earlier and had spent the day visiting tourist attractions before taking a carriage ride through Central Park.
"This incident should be taken very seriously," Deepak Mahajan said. "It took my son's dream away."
Mahajan's parents and younger brother survived the accident with minor injuries. The carriage reportedly collided with another horse-drawn vehicle before overturning.
The company that owned the carriage has suspended the driver indefinitely, while the horse involved in the incident has been retired from service, according to Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers and owners.
The Central Park Conservancy said it believes the incident is the first human fatality associated with a horse carriage in more than 150 years of operations in the park. The organization also cited eight horse-related incidents in Central Park during the past 13 months and called for carriage rides to be suspended pending a safety review.
We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Mr. Romanch Mahajan, an Indian national, who tragically lost his life following a fall from a horse carriage in Central Park, New York.
— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 18, 2026
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family during this difficult time. The…
The accident has renewed efforts by New York officials seeking to phase out the industry.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the council will hold a hearing next month on "Ryder's Law," proposed legislation that would phase out horse-drawn carriage rides while helping workers transition to alternative employment.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also reiterated his support for ending horse-drawn carriage operations while ensuring protections for workers employed in the industry.
The Transport Workers Union has opposed efforts to eliminate the carriage business and instead supports measures including additional hitching posts throughout Central Park to allow drivers to safely secure horses while passengers take photographs.
Horse-drawn carriage rides, a longstanding New York tourist attraction, cost approximately US$72 for a 20-minute ride. Supporters argue they are an important part of the city's history and tourism economy, while critics contend they pose risks to both horses and the public. Several U.S. cities, including Chicago and San Antonio, have already ended similar carriage operations.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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