NYC carriage horse industry temporarily shuts down after teen dies in Central Park crash

Colin Mixson, New York Daily News on Jun 18, 2026

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New York City’s carriage horse industry is shutting down Friday in response to the death of an 18-year-old tourist, killed after a driverless horse bolted in Central Park, a rep for the union representing the industry said Thursday.

The carriage horse union, TWU Local 100, made the call to shutter its stables while it reviews safety protocols in the wake of the teen’s death.

A spokesman for the union said there would be no carriage horse rides Friday, but beyond that no plan had has been established.

While rides are suspended, the union is pushing a bill introduced last week by Queens Councilman James Gennaro that would institute new safety protocols for the industry, in addition to providing job protection for drivers.

Among other things, the bill would require hitching posts to be installed throughout the park, which horses could be secured to.

Romanch Mahajan and his family were enjoying a carriage ride in Central Park on Wednesday when, after their driver stepped off the vehicle to take their picture, the horse became frightened and bolted.

The teen fell out, hit his head and was knocked unconscious. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died about 6:45 p.m., police said.

The teen was visiting the U.S. from India with his family. They were celebrating Romanch’s high school graduation with the trip when the carriage horse mishap occurred about 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The NYPD is investigating.

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