Horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park have been suspended at least through Tuesday as safety measures are reassessed following the death of an 18-year-old tourist who jumped from a runaway carriage earlier this week. The incident occurred Wednesday in New York City when the horse pulling the carriage bolted without its driver, leading to a fatal accident.

Romanch Mahajan, who had traveled from India with his family to celebrate his recent high school graduation, suffered a fatal head injury after jumping from the carriage in an attempt to protect his mother, who fell out during the incident. The carriage driver had briefly stepped away to take a family photograph near a fountain when the horse suddenly took off. Mahajan’s family described the events, explaining that the teen’s quick response was meant to prevent harm to his mother.

Alexander Kemp, administrative vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, expressed condolences to Mahajan’s family and stated that the union is initiating a review of safety protocols. At a news conference Friday, Kemp said the union is developing new training procedures for the approximately 200 carriage owners and drivers in the city. These protocols aim to ensure constant control over carriage horses and enhance overall safety, with updated measures expected to be implemented by next week.

According to both the union and the Central Park Conservancy, Mahajan’s death marks the first fatality linked to horse-drawn carriages in Central Park since their introduction over 150 years ago. The Conservancy, which manages the 843-acre park, highlighted that this was the eighth horse-related incident within the past 13 months. In light of the risks, the group has called for a temporary suspension of the carriage rides until stronger safety protections are established.

The Conservancy also raised concerns about horses sharing park roadways with the increasing number of joggers, cyclists, pedestrians, and motorized scooters. It pointed to other major U.S. cities, including Chicago and San Antonio, which have recently discontinued horse carriage services, framing the practice as an outdated and potentially hazardous tradition.

However, representatives from the carriage industry argue that the recent tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures rather than a complete elimination of the attraction. They maintain that horse-drawn carriages form a cherished part of New York City’s historical and cultural landscape and advocate for enhanced protections to preserve this longstanding tradition.