The devastated family of the teen killed in a horrific horse carriage crash during their special trip to New York City are pleading Mayor Mamdani to ban rides in Manhattan.
Romanch Mahajan, 18, was inside one of the horse-drawn carriages with his mother, father, and little brother, when tragedy struck on June 16.
The carriage driver had stopped to take a photo of the family, who were visiting from India, when the horse suddenly bolted with them inside.
Romanch jumped out of the carriage to save his mother, who had fallen out. He hit his head on the ground and was later pronounced dead.
City officials reopened the rides on Tuesday, a week after the incident, leaving Mahajan’s anguished parents to demand that the carriages be permanently banned.
Deepak Mahajan, the teen’s father, told Inside Edition: ‘Rather than banning it permanently, you’re resuming it.’
‘It’s a shame for us. It’s a shame for everyone. For humanity, it is a shame.’
The teen’s mother could barely speak from the grief but said she loved her son.
Romanch Mahajan, 18, died on June 16 in New York City after he flew out of a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park
His family are demanding that the 150-year-old horse-drawn carriage industry be shut down (Pictured are Mahajan’s mother and father)
Guarv Mahjan, Mahajan’s uncle, called out New York City Mayor Zorhan Mamdani during his remarks on 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?’ the grieving uncle 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?’
As the carriages were stabled last week, drivers were attending meetings and discussions with Union representatives, according to a Transport Workers Union statement.
Christina Hansen, a spokesperson for TWU Local 100, 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.
The incident has reignited the debate over Central Park’s 150-year-old horse-drawn carriage industry, which is facing the growing threat of a ban from opponents who say the rides are both inhumane to horses and dangerous to city residents.
Alexander Kemp, a vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 100, said the fatal incident should never have occurred.
‘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 Director Ashley Byrne also released a statement in response to Wednesday’s incident.
‘From collapsing horses to careening carriages, how many more disasters have to strike before we get these beleaguered horses out of the park?’ Byrne said.
‘For everyone’s safety, PETA is calling on council members, Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman, and Speaker Julie Menin to stop dithering and pass Ryder’s Law immediately.’
Wednesday’s event follows several recent horse-related problems in the park, including the fatal collapse of a horse last week, which died after eating a toxic plant.
The family of four was enjoying the horse and carriage ride before the animal got spoked and took off running before crashing into another carriage
Just hours before the deadly incident, Romanch’s parents shared several pictures on Instagram of them traveling all over New York City
The animal had ingested foliage from a Japanese Yew, the report by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, which was circulated by the TWU Local 100, said.
The horse, named Deniz, was under the care of carriage driver Nurettin Kirbiyik on the East Drive of the park on June 9 when the animal collapsed and died.
Council Member Christopher Marte announced he plans to rename a City Council proposal known as Ryder’s Law, which would ban horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City, to Romanch’s Law in honor of the teen.
