An 18-year-old tourist died Wednesday after falling from a runaway horse carriage in New York City’s Central Park, police said.
Horse carriage lost control
Police said the teenager, identified as Romanch Mahajan by the Central Park Conservancy, was riding with his family when the horse took off for unknown reasons.
The carriage driver was reportedly near the horse when it suddenly ran away. The carriage struck another carriage wheel and overturned, according to the Transport Workers Union.
Mahajan was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
Investigation underway
No other people were injured. The horse, which had been in the park for about six weeks, will be retired from the carriage business, according to the union.
The incident happened eight days after another carriage horse, Deniz, died in Central Park after collapsing during a ride.
Calls grow to ban horse carriages
The Central Park Conservancy renewed calls to ban horse-drawn carriages in the park, calling the death a tragedy.
City officials also announced plans to hold a hearing on proposed reforms to the horse carriage industry in July.
For more on the Central Park horse carriage controversy, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.