A scared carriage horse crashed into another carriage in Central Park on Monday, leading to an overturned vehicle and injuries to the driver, according to authorities.
The incident happened just before 4 p.m. near West 59th Street and West Drive when the horse was spooked by a sudden movement and hit the other horse-drawn carriage, police reported.
Witnesses noted that the collision resulted in the other carriage flipping over, temporarily trapping the 44-year-old driver, who ended up on the ground.
The driver was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital, and thankfully, his condition is stable. As for the horse, there were no reported injuries.
On that unusually warm day, photos captured the scene with park-goers surrounding the overturned carriage while the injured driver lay on the pavement.
Edita Bernkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets, described the incident as a “preventable tragedy.” She conveyed her concerns to local media.
Bernkrant pointed out that similar accidents have been frequent, highlighting how drivers and passengers have faced serious risks. “It’s completely insane; my heart goes out to both the driver and the horse,” she said, expressing frustration that many New Yorkers are fed up with such incidents.
She called on lawmakers to consider the Rider Act, which aims to phase out horse-drawn carriages. This act is named after a horse named Ryder, who tragically collapsed during work in August 2022 due to the heat.
Bernkrant emphasized, “There are more effective ways to handle this rather than treating it like it’s still the 1800s. We shouldn’t put lives at risk by having these horses, especially many that are older and not in the best health.” She added, “Conditions were unsafe for the horses, and they need the freedom to roam as nature intended.”
The City Council Health Committee declined to advance the Rider Act in November, despite backing from various activists and former Mayor Eric Adams.
PETA Director Ashley Byrne voiced urgency in addressing the ongoing risks, stating that it’s crucial for the City Council to pass the LIDAR Act to eliminate this hazardous and outdated practice before more accidents occur.
The police are continuing their investigation into the accident.
