In a heart-wrenching account, the father of a teenager killed in a tragic horse carriage accident in New York City recounted his final moments with his son. He implored others to imagine the anguish of witnessing such a crucial loss, saying: “I want you to imagine what it is like watching your son die in front of you.”
Deepak Mahajan, the grieving father of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, spoke passionately at a City Council hearing held on Wednesday. He, along with other affected families, urged legislative action to permanently shutter the horse carriage industry that has operated in Manhattan for 67 years.
He vividly described the horror of seeing events spiral out of control, leading to his son’s fatal head injury. The incident began when their horse became frightened and suddenly took off through Central Park, leaving chaos in its wake.
“I cannot properly describe to you the real true fear inside that carriage,” Deepak expressed via a Zoom call, visibly emotional as he sat beside his heartbroken wife, Priya Mahajan.
He further recounted the terrifying ordeal: “It was shaking, it was speeding, there was no one holding the reins, and we could do nothing but hold onto each other and scream,” he said, reflecting on the helplessness they felt in those frantic moments.
Romanch had jumped out of the carriage in an attempt to save his mother, who had fallen out during the ride.
‘Our whole family is shattered,’ Mahajan said. ‘We came to New York as a family of four. We are learning to cope with life as a family of three.’
Ahead of the landmark Council hearing Wednesday, Mahajan stated: ‘No one expects for this to happen to their child, but it happened to us,’ according to The New York Post.
Romanch Mahajan died on June 16 in New York City after he flew out of a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park
Photos show the moments before the deadly incident
His family are demanding that the 150-year-old horse-drawn carriage industry be shut down (Pictured are Mahajan’s mother and father)
‘I would not wish this on any family in the world.’
The victim’s aunt also spoke, struggling as she cried in front of the council. She asked that her nephew’s name not be forgotten and described the darkness that has been left over their family since the teen’s death.
Romanch died during a ride on June 16 after their carriage driver had stopped to take a photo of the family, who were visiting from India, when the horse suddenly bolted with them inside. He hit his head on the ground and was later pronounced dead.
‘If the prior legislation had passed, the carriages would have stopped on June 1, 2026 – Romanch died on June 17,’ the teenager’s father said.
‘This was not an unpredictable accident. Let his death not be in vain.’
Heartbroken family members are now hoping Romanch’s Law will pass to prevent others from suffering a similar tragedy.
Their push for legislation ultimately brought them to the City Council hearing focused on ending horse carriage rides within two years, particularly in Central Park, where they have operated since its opening.
Council Member Christopher Marte will introduce the bill as its lead sponsor, which, if passed, would phase out the rides by June 1, 2028, according to records cited by NBC4.
Romanch was visiting from India. Photos show the moment the family’s horse got spooked and suddenly bolted with them inside
Romanch’s death is the first fatality linked to the carriage rides since they were introduced more than a century ago
Loved ones of 18-year-old tourist Romanch gave emotional statements at a City Council hearing on Wednesday. His aunt is pictured in tears trying to give a statement
Romanch jumped out of the carriage to save his mother, who had fallen out
The victim’s father said: ‘I cannot properly describe to you the real true fear inside that carriage’
The bill’s future now rests with the Health Committee, which will decide whether to advance it to the full Council, according to The New York Times.
After gaining five more sponsors between Tuesday and Wednesday, the measure reached 26 supporters – enough to secure passage in the 51-member Council.
Romanch’s death is the first fatality linked to the carriage rides since they were introduced more than a century ago, according to the labor union that represents the industry and the Central Park Conservancy.
The incident reignited the debate over the industry, with opponents arguing that the rides are both inhumane to horses and dangerous to city residents.
Dozens gathered from both sides with signs protesting or supporting the proposal. Carriage industry leaders said that the incident emphasizes the need for better protections, such as hitching posts.
Christina Hansen, a spokesperson for TWU Local 100, previously said at a press conference that they have taken steps to make sure that the carriages remain ‘the safest form of transportation in Midtown, Manhattan.’
If the bill passes, it would move to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has backed a ban and said he wants to ‘deliver a just transition that protects workers.’
He said that while he supported the intent of the proposal, he had concerns about its impact on workers in the industry, according to NBC4 News.
Romanch hit his head on the ground and was later pronounced dead
Romanch’s death was followed by several other horse-related incidents in Central Park
Gaurav Mahajan, Romanch’s grieving uncle, previously criticized Mamdani in remarks about the incident.
‘I just want to ask one thing to Mayor Mamdani and to the Speaker: What does it take? What’s the cost? What’s the price to make sure this never happens again?’ he said.
‘We’ve already paid the price with the loss of our child. He’s gone. We’re never going to be able to bring him back. What happens now? Do we just move on and call it a day?’
City officials reopened the rides just one week after the incident. During the shutdown, carriage drivers attended meetings and discussions with union representatives, according to a Transport Workers Union statement.
Romanch’s death was followed by several other horse-related incidents in Central Park, including the fatal collapse of a carriage horse that died after ingesting a toxic plant.
The horse had eaten foliage from a Japanese yew, according to a report from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine that was circulated by TWU Local 100.
The horse, named Deniz, was under the care of carriage driver Nurettin Kirbiyik on the park’s East Drive on June 9 when it suddenly collapsed and died.