Horse carriage operations in Central Park have been suspended following the death of a teenage tourist earlier this week.
Authorities say Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old visitor from India, fell from a carriage after the horse pulling it bolted in the park.
Cellphone video captured the carriage driver chasing after the horse after it broke away and ran through the park.
What You Need To Know
Horse carriage operations in Central Park have been suspended following a fatal incident involving a tourist
Authorities say an 18-year-old visitor from India fell from a carriage after the horse pulling it bolted in the park
The union representing carriage drivers and owners says it is reviewing safety protocols
The incident has renewed calls to pass Ryder’s Law, which would phase out horse-drawn carriages in the city
Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers and owners, said it has voluntarily suspended operations while it conducts an internal review of safety procedures.
“We’re absolutely gutted and stunned by this tragedy. We’ve never had a fatal accident like this before,” the union said in a statement Thursday. “We have shuttered the stables and ceased operations today while we have extensive internal discussions of safety protocols and how they can be improved.”
Outside the horse stables on West 52nd Street in Hell’s Kitchen, where the carriage horses are housed, activity was limited Friday as operations remained paused. A maintenance truck was seen servicing the stables, but no carriage rides were running.
The incident has renewed calls to pass Ryder’s Law, a City Council bill named for a carriage horse that collapsed in 2022 and was later euthanized. The legislation would prohibit new horse carriage licenses, phase out the existing industry and provide job training for affected workers.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the Council plans to hold a hearing on the legislation in July.
“Today’s tragic death of a teenager following an incident involving a horse carriage in Central Park is horrific and heartbreaking,” Menin said in a statement. “We look forward to hearing from all stakeholders and reviewing measures to address horse welfare and public safety concerns as we work toward a thoughtful solution to this urgent issue.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani also reiterated his support for ending the industry, saying he would work 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.”