Vigil in Central Park pays tribute to teen tourist who died in carriage accident

Vigil Held for Tourist Who Died in Horse-Drawn Carriage Accident

Elected officials and animal rights advocates are coming together for a vigil on Monday to honor the memory of an 18-year-old tourist who tragically lost his life after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park last Wednesday.

Romanchi Mahajan was visiting New York City from India with his family when a horse became startled and, in the ensuing chaos, he fell from the carriage. The horse bolted down West Drive and collided with another carriage, causing it to overturn. According to Mahajan’s father, his son died while attempting to help his mother, who had also fallen due to the impact.

This incident has raised serious concerns about horse-drawn carriages in the area.

New Yorkers for a Clean, Livable and Safe City (NYCLASS) has announced plans to hold a vigil at Cherry Hill Fountains, close to where the accident occurred. They are also advocating for the city’s “Rider Law” to be renamed “Romanche Law” in memory of Mahajan.

The Rider Act aims to phase out horse-drawn carriages in New York City. This legislation was introduced by former City Councilman Bob Holden after the death of a horse named Ryder in 2022. Following Mahajan’s death, City Councilman Chris Marte renewed his push for the legislation, while City Council President Julie Menin mentioned that a public hearing will take place in July.

“It’s time to take action,” Menin stated. “We are moving forward with the Riders Act, and we will gather input from all involved to find a solution that addresses both equine welfare and public safety concerns.”

Meanwhile, Alexander Kemp, from the Transportation Workers Union Local 100, expressed his condolences to Mahajan’s family, labeling the tragedy as profound. He mentioned during a press conference that the union has begun implementing new safety training procedures for horse-drawn carriage drivers, which will soon be mandatory for around 200 drivers and owners.

Debates around the use of horse-drawn carriages in Central Park have heated up, with animal rights groups advocating for a complete ban. Mayor Zoran Mamdani has committed to collaborating with the city council, industry stakeholders, and animal rights activists to phase out horse-drawn carriages, while ensuring a fair transition for the workers involved.