A dream vacation turned into a nightmare in seconds when a young man chose his mother's life over his own.
WHAT HAPPENED
Romanch Mahajan was visiting New York City for the first time. He traveled all the way from India with his family to see the sights. They decided to take a famous horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park.
While they were riding, the horse suddenly got scared and began to run out of control. Witnesses say it was a scary scene as the horse bolted through the park. Romanch tried to step in and help his mother stay in the carriage.
Both Romanch and his mother were thrown from the carriage onto the hard ground. His mother survived the fall. Sadly, the 18-year-old died from his injuries.
WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS
Victim: Romanch Mahajan, age 18.
- Location: Central Park, New York City.
- Survivor: The victim's mother was injured but lived.
- The Horse: Reported to have "bolted" or run away in a frenzy.
- The Scene: Witnesses described the event as a "chilling" accident.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
Why do we still allow large, easily scared animals to work on busy city streets? This is a question New York has fought over for years.
We have to ask if a tourist tradition is worth the risk of a human life. Is it time to admit that modern cities and horse carriages simply do not mix?
THE OTHER SIDE
Carriage drivers and owners say these accidents are very rare. They argue that the horses are well-trained and that the industry provides many jobs for local families.
While they say the park is safe, this tragedy makes their argument much harder to believe for many people.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
City leaders are already facing new pressure to change the rules. Some want to ban the horses entirely and replace them with electric cars.
For now, the carriage industry will likely face a deep safety review. Families visiting the park may now think twice before they climb into a carriage.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- What specific sound or sight caused the horse to bolt?
- Were there any safety tools on the carriage that failed to work?
- Will the city council finally vote on a total ban this year?
Transparency notes
Published: Jun 18, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.