Indian Teen Dies Saving Mother After Runaway Horse Carriage Crash in New York

An 18-year-old Indian tourist died after attempting to rescue his mother when a horse-drawn carriage accident turned fatal in New York City's Central Park, triggering renewed debate over carriage safety.

Romanch Mahajan was visiting New York for the first time with his family when the incident occurred near the busy Cherry Hill-Bethesda Fountain area around 3 pm on Wednesday. Reports said the carriage driver had stopped to take a photograph when the horse, later identified as Sampson , suddenly bolted and ran out of control through the park.

As the carriage sped uncontrollably, Romanch’s mother, Priya Mahajan , was thrown out of the vehicle. Witnessing this, the teenager jumped from the moving carriage to help her, despite the danger. He suffered a severe head injury after hitting the ground and was rushed to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center , where he was later declared dead.

The runaway carriage collided with another carriage and overturned, breaking apart on impact. The rest of the family, including his father Deepak Mahajan and younger brother, escaped with minor injuries.

Officials said the driver had left the horse unattended, violating safety protocols, and has since been suspended indefinitely pending investigation. The horse has reportedly been retired from service following the incident.

The tragedy has intensified calls for banning horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, with renewed support for Ryder’s Law , which seeks to phase out the industry. Lawmakers and activists say repeated Central Park carriage incidents highlight ongoing safety risks for both tourists and animals.