Romansh Mahajan (Photos/X)
An 18-year-old Indian teenager, Romansh Mahajan, died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in New York’s Central Park while trying to save his mother. Police said the accident occurred during a family rickshaw ride when the driver pulled away to take a photo of the group.
At that moment, the horse suddenly bolted, collided with another carriage and overturned, triggering a chain of events that led to the teenager’s death.According to his father, Romansh tried to save his mother after she fell from the carriage when it started to overturn. In the chaos, he jumped in to help her but suffered a fatal head injury.
The teen was taken to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead later that night.
The New York Times reported that the rest of the family suffered minor injuries.The Mahajans, visiting New York from India on vacation for Romansh’s recent high school graduation, were touring landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial and the Brooklyn Bridge before taking a ride on the Central Park trolley.The accident happened near Cherry Hill in Central Park, where the family stopped to take a photo.
Police said the carriage driver moved away from the horse to take a family photo.The driver pulled away from the red and white rickshaw to take the shot. “We were screaming, ‘Help me, help me!’” Romansh’s father, Deepak Mahajan, said. He said that when his wife fell from the cart as the horse lunged, Romansh jumped down to try to help her.His father said: “My son fell to save his mother. He was screaming: ‘Mom.’”Romansh hit his head on the ground and lost consciousness. Despite emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead later that evening.Meanwhile, the vehicle continued to move uncontrollably, colliding with another vehicle before overturning and disintegrating, according to witnesses and officials.The driver’s action in staying away from the horse was sharply criticized by the carriage drivers union.“It appears the driver was at least an arm’s length away from his horse,” said Alexander Kemp, vice president of the United Transport Workers Local 100. “This is unacceptable. The driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take pictures – ever. We support a full investigation.”The syndicate also confirmed that the horse in question, a seven-year-old named Sampson, appeared healthy and would be retired from service. The driver was suspended pending investigation.The incident sparked renewed calls from lawmakers and animal welfare activists to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, citing frequent safety incidents involving horses and visitors.“These incidents are not isolated,” said New York City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif. “We must pass the Ryder Act, end this outdated industry, and ensure a just transition for workers.”Another council member, Harvey Epstein, said he was horrified by the incident.“Time and time again, we see horses and people suffering the consequences of an industry that poses serious risks to public safety and animal welfare,” he said.Under the proposed Ryder Law, the city would stop issuing new transportation licenses and phase out rides over two years.The Central Park Conservancy said it was devastated by the death.“A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life. This is an unacceptable cost for an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most underused public spaces in America,” she said.Mahajan’s family said the tragedy ruined what was supposed to be a celebratory trip to mark Romansh’s recent admission to Manipal University, Jaipur.“This was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime family trip,” his father said. “This accident shattered my son’s dream.”