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Central Park horse carriage rides temporarily suspended following death of 18-year-old tourist
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Key Points:
- Horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park are suspended until at least Tuesday following the death of 18-year-old Indian tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died after falling from a runaway carriage.
- The carriage driver was suspended and the horse, new to the park, was retired; an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
- The Transport Workers Union is conducting safety protocol reviews and refresher training for drivers but opposes a full ban, supporting instead stricter regulations and enforcement.
- Advocates and city groups, including the Central Park Conservancy, are calling for a permanent ban on horse-drawn carriages due to repeated safety incidents, with City Council hearings planned for a bill proposing the ban starting in 2028.
- The proposed "Ryder's Law" bill aims to end horse carriage operations in parks, ensure humane treatment of horses, and provide workforce transition support for drivers, currently having 14 sponsors in the City Council.
