Teenager dies in Central Park carriage accident

Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old visitor from India, died Wednesday after leaping from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park to shield his mother. The horse bolted while the driver was away from the reins, causing the carriage to accelerate wildly, collide with another vehicle, and ultimately shatter on the park grounds.

Editorial·June 18, 2026·reads: 3,492

Teenager dies in Central Park carriage accident

The family was enjoying their first trip to New York when the driver stopped to photograph them. According to the teen’s father, Deepak Mahajan, the animal panicked and surged forward, dragging the carriage onto the sidewalk and grass. When his wife, Priya, was thrown from the vehicle, Romanch jumped in a desperate attempt to reach her, striking his head on the ground. He later died at NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Centre.

Alexander Kemp, vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, condemned the driver’s actions, noting that leaving a carriage unattended to take photos violates safety protocols. The driver has been suspended indefinitely. This tragedy has reignited legislative efforts to ban horse-drawn carriages in Manhattan, with City Councilman Christopher Marte demanding immediate action. Records from the park conservancy indicate this is the eighth horse-related incident since May 2025, fueling long-standing debates over the safety of the industry.