A brutal twist of fate unfolded in Central Park when an 18‑year‑old tourist from India fell from a horse‑drawn carriage and later died in a hospital.
The carriage was pulled to a stop when the driver left to take a photo of the group, but the horse suddenly bolted, clipped another carriage and the whole ride toppled over. Police say the driver was at arm’s length from the horse, yet the chaos sent the teenager plunging into the chaos, where he was critically injured.
The teen died before treatment could begin, while the other three passengers escaped with no injuries. Police are investigating, and the transportation union has called for a full probe, labeling the driver’s actions “unacceptable.”
City officials are upping their scrutiny. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he supports removing carriages from the park, and Council member Shahana Hanif urged for a new legislation, dubbed Ryder’s Law, to halt new licenses and phase out rides in two years.
The tragedy follows the recent death of a carriage horse that ate a toxic plant in Central Park—an incident that has sparked debate over animal welfare and rider safety in the iconic tourist attraction.
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