A tragic accident occurred in New York City’s Central Park when a horse-drawn carriage became startled and bolted, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old tourist, Romanch Mahajan, from India. The carriage, carrying passengers, broke free and collided with another carriage before overturning near Tavern on the Green.

Investigation Ongoing

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is investigating the incident, and the Central Park Conservancy has expressed its deepest condolences to Mahajan’s family and loved ones. The conservancy has long opposed horse-drawn carriages in the park, citing concerns about public safety and public health.

Alexander Kemp of TWU Local 100, the union representing horse-drawn carriage drivers and owners, stated that preliminary information suggests the driver may have stepped away from the horse to take a photo before the animal took off. The union supports a full investigation into the incident and has called for enhanced driver training, tougher examinations, and additional rules governing the introduction of new horses into the business.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry, with the Central Park Conservancy calling for the passage of Ryder’s Law, which would ban horse-drawn carriages and provide transitional job placement services for drivers.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.