A dream family trip to New York City turned into a nightmare when an 18-year-old tourist was thrown to his death from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park while trying to save his mother.
Romanch Mahajan, who was visiting the Big Apple from India with his parents and younger brother, died Wednesday night after a terrifying carriage ride spun out of control.
The family had been enjoying one of New York’s most famous tourist traditions just before 3 p.m. when the carriage driver reportedly stopped to take their picture.
That is when the horse suddenly bolted.
Romanch’s father, Deepak Mahajan, told The New York Times the family was trapped inside the runaway carriage as it tore down the pavement.
“We were yelling, ‘Help me, help me!’” the devastated father recalled.
Deepak said the family tried to hold onto each other as the carriage raced through the park. But then his wife, Priya, was thrown from the vehicle.
Romanch immediately jumped out after her.
“My son, just to save his mother, he fell off. He was screaming, ‘Mom!’” Deepak told the outlet.
The teen struck his head on the ground and was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. He was later pronounced dead.
His mother, father and younger brother suffered minor injuries.
The carriage was later seen shattered into pieces after crashing into another carriage during the chaos.
Dramatic video taken by bystanders showed the carriage driver running after the out-of-control horse as stunned parkgoers watched the horrifying scene unfold.
The horse, named Sampson, was eventually stopped near Tavern on the Green. Officials said the 7-year-old animal appeared uninjured and was in stable condition.
Just hours before the tragedy, Romanch’s parents had shared photos from what appeared to be a happy family sightseeing trip across New York City.
The family had visited some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park, the Charging Bull on Wall Street and the Oculus.
The heartbreaking death is now adding fuel to the long-running battle over Central Park’s horse-drawn carriage industry, which has operated in the city for more than 150 years.
Critics say the rides are dangerous for both people and animals and should be banned.
Alexander Kemp, a vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, said the deadly incident never should have happened.
“It appears the driver was at least at arm’s length from his horse,” Kemp said in a statement.
“This is unacceptable. A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos — ever. We support a full investigation.”
PETA also blasted the industry after the fatal incident.
“From collapsing horses to careening carriages, how many more disasters have to strike before we get these beleaguered horses out of the park?” PETA Director Ashley Byrne said.
The animal rights group is calling for city leaders to pass Ryder’s Law, a proposal that would ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City.
The Central Park Conservancy also said Romanch’s death should be a turning point.
“We are absolutely devastated to learn that Romanch Mahajan, the 18-year-old visitor injured in today’s carriage incident, has died,” the group said.
“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.”
The group added, “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 horrifying accident came just days after another carriage horse, named Deniz, collapsed and died in Central Park.
A necropsy report from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine found the horse had eaten foliage from a Japanese Yew, a toxic plant. The report said “abundant plant needles” were found in the horse’s stomach, mouth and digestive tract.
The horse’s driver said he saw no signs the animal was sick before it suddenly collapsed.
“I feel like I lost someone in the family,” he said.
Now, after two disturbing incidents in one of America’s most famous parks, critics are demanding action.
Romanch’s family came to New York for memories. Instead, they are leaving with an unimaginable tragedy.
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