Runaway Horse Triggers Full Ban Push

A teenage tourist died in Central Park after a runaway carriage horse threw him from the ride — and now New York City politicians are using the tragedy to push a full ban on an industry that has operated for over 150 years.

Story Snapshot

Romanch Mahajan, 18, died in June 2026 after jumping from a runaway Central Park carriage horse to save his mother — the first carriage-related death in the park’s history.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin quickly moved to end the horse carriage industry entirely through legislation called Ryder’s Law.
The carriage industry and its union argue the crash stemmed from a driver rule violation — not a systemic flaw — and that better safety measures, not a ban, are the right fix.
The ban push follows a string of horse-related incidents, including horses collapsing and dying on city streets, that had already reignited debate before the fatal crash.

A Graduation Trip Turns Fatal in Central Park

Romanch Mahajan traveled to New York City from India with his family to celebrate finishing high school. On June 17, 2026, the family boarded a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. The horse spooked and bolted without its driver. Romanch’s mother fell from the carriage. He jumped out to help her and hit his head on the ground. He later died from his injuries. His father, Deepak Mahajan, described the events to The New York Times.

The Central Park Conservancy, which manages the park, said Romanch’s death appears to be the first carriage-related fatality in the park’s more than 150-year history. The group also noted eight horse-related incidents in the park over the previous 13 months. It called for the industry to be suspended until stronger safety rules are in place, saying that any other activity posing similar risks would be stopped immediately.

City Leaders Move Fast Toward a Full Ban

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said it is time to end the horse carriage industry in Central Park for good. He said he would work with the City Council, the industry, and animal welfare groups to protect workers during the transition. City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced a hearing on Ryder’s Law — a bill that would ban horse carriages and help drivers find new jobs. On the day after the crash, carriages were not running in the park at all.

New York City has tried to end this industry before. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to shut it down on his first day in office but never succeeded due to years of council opposition. This time, the political momentum looks stronger. Chicago, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, and Palm Beach have all already banned or phased out horse-drawn carriage rides. Supporters of the ban say New York should follow their lead.

Industry Says Fix the Rules, Don’t Kill the Jobs

Carriage industry leaders pushed back on calls for a full ban. They argued the crash shows the need for better safety rules — not the end of a long-standing tradition. The Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage drivers, historically opposed phase-out efforts. After the crash, the union backed new legislation that would install hitching posts throughout the park. These posts would let drivers safely tie up their horses, especially at busy tourist photo spots where drivers might step away from the carriage.

Calls to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City are renewing following a fatal accident. An 18-year-old tourist from India died this week after his carriage horse bolted in Central Park. https://t.co/HzlV2VP3kn pic.twitter.com/ykesYTTsAA

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 19, 2026

The union’s proposed fix points to a real question: was this crash the result of a broken system, or a single driver mistake? Reports indicated the driver was not seated in the carriage when the horse bolted — a possible rule violation. The industry’s position is that stricter enforcement of existing rules could prevent future incidents. A ban would eliminate roughly 250 driving jobs and end what many see as a genuine piece of old New York. Carriage rides cost about $72 for the first 20 minutes and draw millions of tourists each year. Whether city leaders accept targeted fixes or push through a full ban will likely be decided when the council holds its hearing on Ryder’s Law next month.