Indian teen dies in horse carriage accident during first New York trip

An 18-year-old Indian teenager, Romanch Mahajan, lost his life in a tragic horse carriage accident during his family’s first trip to New York city. The incident took place around 3 pm on Wednesday in Central Park when the horse pulling their carriage suddenly bolted after the driver reportedly stepped away to take a family photograph. 

Romanch was travelling with his parents and another passenger when the horse began running uncontrollably through the park. According to his father, Deepak Mahajan, the family cried for help as the carriage sped away.

During the chaos, Romanch’s mother, Priya Mahajan, fell from the moving carriage. In an attempt to save her, Romanch jumped off the carriage but hit his head on the ground. He was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died. The other passengers refused medical treatment.

Videos circulating on social media showed the horse racing through Central Park while passengers tried to escape. Another clip captured the carriage overturning after colliding with another horse-drawn carriage.

The tragedy has once again sparked debate over the safety of horse-drawn carriages in New York City. State Senator Erik Bottcher reportedly expressed condolences to the Mahajan family and urged the City Council to pass Ryder’s Law, which seeks to end the horse-drawn carriage industry. 

He said recent accidents involving carriage horses and passengers highlight the urgent need for stricter safety measures to protect both people and animals, as per reports.