Horse carriage rides in Central Park are paused until at least Tuesday as safety protocols undergo revision. This decision follows the death of a young tourist who jumped from a runaway horse carriage.
Alexander Kemp, Administrative Vice President of Transport Workers Union Local 100, expressed condolences to the family of Romanch Mahajan, 18, who died on Wednesday. Mahajan sustained a fatal head injury after jumping from a four-wheeled carriage when the horse bolted without a driver.
“Words can’t express the enormity of this tragedy,” Kemp stated. “We are taking the first steps towards addressing safety issues.”
The review focuses on maintaining control of the carriage horses at all times. Kemp mentioned at a news conference that new safety training protocols will be introduced next week. These guidelines, developed with input from horse carriage operators, will be mandatory for approximately 200 carriage owners and drivers.
Mahajan is possibly the first person to die in a horse carriage accident in Central Park, a location that has hosted these rides for over 150 years. His family had traveled from India to celebrate his high school graduation. The incident occurred when the carriage driver disembarked to take a family photo, resulting in the horse unexpectedly running away. Mahajan attempted to help his mother, who had fallen from the carriage, which led to his decision to jump.
The Central Park Conservancy, responsible for managing the park, has called for a suspension of the carriage industry until enhanced safety measures can be implemented. They noted that Mahajan’s death was the eighth horse-related incident within the past 13 months. The organization argues that park roads, crowded with joggers, cyclists, pedestrians, and scooters, are unsuitable for horses.
While cities like Chicago and San Antonio have discontinued horse carriages, the carriage industry leaders argue for improved safety rather than a complete ban. They view the attraction as a cherished element of New York’s history.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his commitment to ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, promising collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure a fair transition for workers.
Previous mayors have similarly advocated for ending this industry, though they faced substantial legislative resistance. Meanwhile, the union remains committed to enhancing safety, supporting measures such as regular driver checks, adherence to safety protocols, and ensuring idle horses are tethered. They dispute allegations of poor animal welfare but agree to ongoing oversight.