Teen dies after falling from horse-drawn carriage in Central Park

An 18-year-old Indian student died on Wednesday after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park, New York. The Mahajan family, on their third day of a 10-day vacation celebrating the teen's high-school graduation and university acceptance, had taken a 45-minute carriage tour when the driver stepped away to photograph the group. At that moment the horse bolted, causing the teenager to be thrown from the carriage and strike his head on the pavement, police said. He was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead; his parents and younger brother sustained minor injuries.

The Transport Workers Union, which represents carriage drivers, announced that its members have halted operations and are reviewing safety protocols. The driver was suspended indefinitely, and the horse, which had been in the park for six weeks, was retired. Alexander Kemp, administrative vice president of the union, said drivers are not permitted to leave their carriages to take photos.

The incident has revived calls to ban horse-drawn carriages in the park. The Central Park Conservancy, animal-rights advocates, and New York City Council member Christopher Marte, who recently introduced legislation to prohibit the rides, cited the tragedy as evidence of the practice’s risks. The Conservancy noted that this is the first human fatality linked to the carriage service in more than 150 years and referenced several recent horse-related incidents.

The Indian Consulate in New York confirmed it is providing assistance to the family. The Mahajan family’s patriarch, Deepak Mahajan, urged stricter safety measures to prevent future deaths. The union expressed sympathy for the family and indicated support for proposed reforms that would improve horse welfare and provide job transition options for drivers.