Horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City’s Central Park have been put on hold at least until Tuesday, as safety protocols are reviewed following the death of a young tourist who jumped from a runaway horse carriage. The 18-year-old victim, Romanch Mahajan, died after hitting his head while jumping off the four-wheeled carriage as its horse sprinted through the park without the driver.

Safety Protocols Under Review

The union representing drivers, Transport Workers Union Local 100, said it is taking the first steps towards addressing safety issues. Among the safety protocols to be reviewed are how to maintain control of the carriage horses at all times. The union is putting together new safety training protocols with feedback from the horse carriage operators that will be rolled out next week, and about 200 carriage owners and drivers will be required to follow.

Mahajan had traveled from India with his family to celebrate his recent high school graduation when the family decided to take a ride on one of the park’s often photographed, richly decorated carriages. The carriage driver hopped off to take a photograph of the family near a fountain when the horse suddenly bolted. Mahajan’s mother fell out of the carriage, and the teen jumped out in an attempt to save her, according to his father.

Calls to End the Industry

The Central Park Conservancy has argued that the carriage industry should be suspended until more protections can be put in place. Mahajan’s death was the eighth horse-related incident in the park over the past 13 months, the group said. Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his support for ending the industry, saying he’d work with the council, the industry, and animal welfare advocates to deliver a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.