A bill seeking to prohibit horse-drawn carriages in New York City has been renamed in memory of an Indian teenager who died following injuries sustained in a tragic carriage accident at Central Park.
The 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan lost his life after falling from a horse-drawn carriage at Central Park last week.
He had reportedly jumped from the carriage while attempting to help his mother, who had fallen out after the horse suddenly bolted.
A vigil was held at Central Park on Monday to honour Mahajan and remember his life.
New York City Council member Christopher Marte, who organised the gathering, announced that the legislation he introduced, previously known as ‘Ryder’s Law’, would now be renamed ‘Romanch’s Law’ in tribute to the teenager.
The original bill was named after Ryder, a 26-year-old carriage horse that collapsed in August 2022 while pulling a carriage. Ryder died two months later, prompting animal rights organisations, including The Animal Legal Defence Fund, to push for legislation aimed at ending horse-drawn carriage operations in New York City.
The proposed legislation would gradually phase out the horse-drawn carriage industry by preventing the approval of new licences for horse-drawn cab operations. According to The Animal Legal Defence Fund, the use of horse-drawn cabs would be completely prohibited from June 1, 2028.
“What happened last week is a stain on our city. Why aren’t we taking action immediately?” Marte asked at the vigil while announcing the renaming of Ryder’s Law as Romanch’s Law.
During the event, Marte read a message from Mahajan’s family, who called for an immediate ban on horse-drawn carriages following the tragedy.
“The industry responsible for my nephew’s death is preparing to resume passenger tours this Tuesday, treating the loss of Romanch’s life as a temporary inconvenience.
This is a profound insult to our family and a direct threat to the safety of every tourist and resident in New York City.
“We demand that you use the full power of your office to halt the resumption of these rides immediately. Allowing horse carriages back on the streets while our family is planning a funeral proves that the city values tourism over human life,” the Mahajan family’s letter read, according to an excerpt published by ABC7NY news.
The Animal Legal Defence Fund also raised concerns about the welfare of horses used for carriage rides and the conditions they face while operating on busy city streets.
“Every summer, horses are used to pull carriages on hot pavements. They are subjected to breathing in heavy exhaust from the congested downtown traffic.
“In winter, they endure freezing temperatures while standing unprotected from the elements, waiting for fares. Day in and day out – rain, sleet, or shine – these horses are worked, often to the point of exhaustion,” the organisation said.
The group added that existing regulations allow carriage horses to work for nine hours daily, seven days a week.
“Public safety is at risk when horses are forced to work in traffic. Blinders, which prevent the horses from having a full range of vision, cannot protect them from the blaring horns, crowds of people, and constant noise of busy New York streets.
“When startled, the horses instinctively bolt. The frightened horses have run into heavy traffic and crashed into vehicles and people, causing serious injury to both the horses and innocent bystanders,” it said.
The Consulate General of India in New York also expressed condolences following Mahajan’s death.
In a post on X, the Consulate said “we are deeply saddened” by Mahajan’s “untimely demise”.
“Mahajan, an Indian national, tragically lost his life following a fall from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, New York.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in touch with the family and is extending all possible assistance and support,” it said.
Following the incident, a spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy said the organisation was “absolutely devastated” by the teenager’s death.
The Conservancy, which oversees the daily care of Central Park, said the tragedy highlighted the concerns it had previously raised about the dangers posed by horse-drawn carriages.
“This is the tragedy we feared when we first called last year for horse carriages to be banned from Central Park due to the risks they pose to public safety and public health,” it said.
“A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life. That is not an acceptable cost of an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most heavily used public spaces in America,” the Conservancy added.
The organisation renewed its appeal for the passage of Ryder’s Law, saying the legislation would end horse carriage operations while offering transitional employment support for drivers.
“Every day horse carriages are in the park is a day the safety of New Yorkers and visitors is in jeopardy,” it said.
Officials said there have been eight horse-related incidents at Central Park in the past 13 months.
The latest incident occurred after the carriage horse bolted when its driver stopped to take a family photograph of the Mahajans.
“We were yelling, ‘Help me, help me!’” The New York Times quoted Romanch’s father, Deepak Mahajan, as saying.
The family tried to hold on to each other, but when Deepak’s wife, Priya, fell from the carriage, Romanch jumped down in an attempt to save her.
“My son fell off as he tried to save his mother,” Deepak said.
“He was screaming, ‘Mom!'” “The horse got scared and ran superfast,” Tatianna Bresler, who works at the Tavern on the Green, told The New York Post.
Bresler, who contacted emergency services after witnessing the crash and hearing screams, said another person managed to slow the runaway horse before the carriage overturned. Romanch suffered a severe head injury after hitting the ground and remained motionless.
He died on Wednesday night at the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Centre, The New York Times reported.
The rest of the family — his father, mother and younger brother — suffered minor injuries. Their carriage reportedly struck another carriage before overturning and breaking apart.
