18-year-old tourist killed after carriage horse gets loose in Central Park

Key Points:

• An 18-year-old tourist died after being thrown from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park when the horse, named Sampson, got spooked and took off, causing the carriage to overturn near Tavern on the Green.
• The carriage driver was not in the carriage at the time, reportedly taking photos, which union officials condemned as unacceptable and led to the driver's indefinite suspension and the horse's retirement.
• The incident has intensified calls for banning horse carriages in Central Park, with the Central Park Conservancy and animal rights groups urging the passage of "Ryder's Law" to prohibit horse-drawn carriages and improve public safety.
• This tragedy follows the recent death of another carriage horse named Deniz, which has further fueled the debate over the safety and ethics of horse-drawn carriages operating in the park.
• Union representatives are advocating for stricter regulations, including enhanced driver training, tougher exams, and better safety measures such as hitching posts throughout the park to prevent future accidents.