Horse carriage rides in Central Park are temporarily halted until at least Tuesday. This pause follows the death of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old tourist who died after jumping from a runaway carriage. Alexander Kemp, vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, expressed condolences to Mahajan’s family and emphasized the urgency of addressing safety measures.
Efforts are underway to establish new safety protocols to ensure control of the carriage horses at all times. Kemp announced in a news conference that these protocols, developed with input from carriage operators, will be implemented next week. Approximately 200 carriage owners and drivers must adopt these new procedures.
“Words can’t express the enormity of this tragedy,” Kemp said.
Mahajan’s death marked the first fatality involving a horse carriage incident in Central Park since their inception over 150 years ago. Mahajan was celebrating his high school graduation with his family in New York when the tragedy occurred. The carriage driver had exited to photograph the family when the horse unexpectedly bolted.
The Central Park Conservancy is advocating for a suspension of the carriage rides, citing safety concerns. They highlighted Mahajan’s death as the eighth horse-related incident in the park within 13 months. The conservancy and other critics argue that the growing mix of joggers, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorized scooters makes horse carriages increasingly unsafe.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other city officials are exploring ways to phase out horse-drawn carriages. The mayor expressed intent to collaborate with the city council and stakeholders for a transition that safeguards workers without compromising on animal welfare.
Kemp reiterated the union’s commitment to enhancing safety. They support measures for better oversight, such as regular checks and enforcing protocols that keep drivers seated with passengers. Idle horses are to be tethered to prevent similar incidents.
Animal rights advocates have long criticized the conditions for carriage horses, alleging overwork and inadequate care. Carriage owners refute these claims, insisting the animals receive appropriate care and live in suitable stables.