Indian Teen Tried To Save His Mother From Runaway Carriage In New York

An 18-year-old Indian teenager, Romanch Mahajan died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in New York’s Central Park while trying to save his mother.

Police said the incident took place during a family carriage ride when the driver stepped away to take a photograph of the group. In that moment, the horse suddenly bolted, struck another carriage and toppled over, leading to a chain of events that lead to the teen’s death.

Romanch Mahajan, who was visiting New York for the first time with his family, suffered fatal head injuries after falling from the carriage when the horse suddenly bolted.

What Excatly Happened?
According to Romanch’s father, Deepak Mahajan, the family was posing for a photograph when the horse unexpectedly took off, dragging the carriage through the park.

As the frightened family tried to hold on, Romanch’s mother, Priya Mahajan, was thrown from the carriage. Seeing her fall, the teenager jumped off in an attempt to help her, but suffered a fatal head injury.

“My son, just to save his mother, he fell off,” Deepak Mahajan said. “He was screaming, ‘Mom!'”

Witnesses said the horse raced across a sidewalk and grassy areas before the carriage eventually overturned.

Romanch struck his head on the ground and was left critically injured. He was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Centre, where he died later that night.

The rest of the family – Romanch’s parents and younger brother – escaped with minor injuries despite the carriage colliding with another carriage and breaking apart during the crash.

The Mahajan family, visiting New York from India on a vacation marking Romanch’s recent high school graduation, had been touring major landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge before the Central Park carriage ride.

Questions over driver’s actions
The accident has sparked scrutiny over the circumstances leading to the runaway carriage.

According to reports, the driver had stepped away from the horse to take a family photograph moments before the animal bolted.

Alexander Kemp, vice-president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers, said such actions violate safety rules.

“A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos — ever. We support a full investigation,” Kemp said.

The driver has since been suspended indefinitely by the carriage owner pending the outcome of investigations.

Consulate General Condoles Death
The Consulate General of India in New York has expressed condolences over the tragic death of Romanch. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in New York said that “we are deeply saddened” by Mahajan’s “untimely demise”.

Mahajan, an Indian national, “tragically lost his life following a fall from a horse 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 Mahajan’s death from injuries suffered in the horse carriage incident in Central Park, a spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy said in a statement that it is “absolutely devastated” to learn of the young man’s death.

“On behalf of everyone at the Central Park Conservancy, our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time,” it said.

The Central Park Conservancy, which has been entrusted by the City of New York with the complete day-to-day care of the iconic public space, added that “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”.

“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 said.

The Conservancy renewed its call for New York City to pass Ryder’s Law, which would ban horse carriages and provide transitional job placement services 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.