Father of Teen Killed in Central Park Urges Ban on Horse Carriages

The Mahajan family had traveled from Pathankot, India, to celebrate the teenager’s high school graduation. During a tourist carriage ride, the driver exited the vehicle to photograph the family; the horse subsequently bolted, throwing Priya Mahajan from the carriage. Romanch sustained fatal head injuries while leaping to his mother's aid. Deepak Mahajan argued that the tragedy was a systemic failure rather than an unpredictable accident, noting that the driver’s decision to leave the carriage unattended violated basic safety protocols.

Council Speaker Julie Menin, a vocal proponent of the proposed legislation, praised the boy's final act as heroic. While the City Council has debated banning the carriages for four decades, the Mahajan family’s loss has provided new political momentum for the measure. The proposal faces significant resistance from the local drivers' union, which has historically stalled previous attempts to phase out the industry. For the Mahajans, the legislative push is a final effort to ensure their son’s name is associated with protection rather than tragedy.