Full Breakdown
Central Park Carriage Fatality Revives Push to End Horse-Drawn Rides
6/19/2026, 2:45:46 AM
Fatal Carriage Accident in Central Park
On June 17, 2026, 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan died after a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park bolted, struck another carriage and overturned near West 72nd Street. He leapt from the carriage when his mother fell, hitting his head. He was pronounced dead at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. The driver reportedly stepped away to photograph the passengers. The owner suspended the driver and retired the horse.
Recent Incidents and Industry Overview
Eight horse-related incidents have occurred in Central Park over the past 13 months, including two overturnings and a horse death in June. Mahajan’s death is the first human fatality involving a carriage in more than 150 years. A typical ride costs about $72 for 20 minutes and supports hundreds of drivers and related trades.
Key Participants
Key participants include victim Romanch Mahajan, his father Deepak Mahajan, TWU Local 100 vice-president Alexander Kemp, the Central Park Conservancy, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Council Speaker Julie Menin, carriage owner Onur Altintas, and activist Edita Birnkrant.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Mamdani pledged a “just transition” to end the 150-year-old carriage industry while protecting workers. Council Speaker Menin announced a hearing on Ryder’s Law, a bill to ban the rides and fund driver job placement. The Central Park Conservancy called for an immediate suspension, saying any activity with comparable risk would be halted. TWU vice-president Kemp said the union has shuttered its stables and is reviewing safety protocols.
Criticism & Opposition
Carriage owner Altintas called the tragedy “sad” but argued the industry provides hundreds of jobs and should not be eliminated, noting that 90 % of horse-related accidents could be avoided by installing park-wide hitching posts. He likened the incident to routine vehicle crashes. The Transport Workers Union, historically opposed to a phase-out, supported the hitching-post legislation while defending drivers’ livelihoods.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Most reports attribute the horse’s flight to the driver stepping away to take a photograph, but NYPD officials declined to comment on the cause and some eyewitness accounts remain anonymous, leaving the precise trigger under investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He was screaming, ‘Mom!’” — Deepak Mahajan, father.
- “We’re absolutely gutted and stunned by this tragedy. We’ve never had a fatal accident like this before,” — Alexander Kemp, TWU Local 100.
- “If any other activity in the Park posed a comparable risk to visitors, it would be suspended immediately while steps were taken to address those dangers,” — Central Park Conservancy spokesperson.
- “We are sad about what happened. Nobody wants that. But it’s not like this is happening every day,” — Onur Altintas, carriage owner.
Legislative Outlook
The City Council will hold a hearing on Ryder’s Law next month. Mayor Mamdani said the city will work with the council, industry and animal-welfare groups to implement a phased ban and a just transition for drivers. The proposed bill also requires park-wide hitching posts to improve safety.
