Family of Tourist Who Died in Central Park Carriage Accident Files $105 Million Lawsuit
On June 17, an 18-year-old tourist from India named Romanch Mahajan died in Central Park after leaping from a runaway horse-drawn carriage to assist his fallen mother, prompting a 105 million dollar lawsuit filed by his family against municipal agencies and utility provider Con Edison over alleged stray electrical currents.
The Fatal Incident Near Cherry Hill
The tragedy unfolded during a traditional carriage ride near the Cherry Hill zone of Central Park, according to reporting by La Voz. The carriage driver stepped down from the vehicle to take a photograph of the passengers. In that brief window, the horse, identified as Samson, broke away from a stationary position and bolted forward in a sudden, uncontrolled run.
During the panicked dash, the tourist’s mother fell from the moving vehicle. Romanch Mahajan jumped out of the carriage to protect and assist her, striking his head against the ground. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after the impact. The rest of the family sustained minor injuries while the carriage ultimately overturned, suffering structural damage.
Stray Voltage Allegations and Technical Inquiries
The legal filing submitted by the victim’s family centers on a technical premise: the presence of stray voltage, or residual electrical current, on the park surface where the horse bolted. The plaintiffs argue this hidden electrical hazard directly triggered the animal’s frantic reaction. According to court papers, a series of regulatory oversights by municipal departments allowed the hazard to persist.
Responding to the claims, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane confirmed that the utility registered very low stray voltage levels in the park on July 16 and July 23. However, the company maintained that none of those detected anomalies originated from its own equipment, and no direct evidence has yet linked a specific electrical current to the horse's initial flight.
Political Fallout and Legislative Pushback
The fatal accident has injected urgency into a political battle over the future of horse-drawn carriages in New York. A proposal to completely phase out the commercial carriage industry within a two-year window is advancing through the New York City Council. At present, 28 of the 51 council members have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, which aims to end the practice by 2028. The legislation is undergoing environmental review to measure potential economic fallout.
Labor representatives have criticized the legislative push. Alexander Kemp, vice president of the Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers, argued that workers should not face punishment due to an unpredictable hazard stemming from city infrastructure failures. Meanwhile, the municipal legal department announced it will review the family’s legal claims as the victims’ parents continue participating in hearings to advocate for a permanent ban.
The legal battle highlights a friction between traditional tourism operations and urban safety standards in public parks. While city attorneys prepare their defense against the multimillion-dollar claim, the municipal legislature moves closer to reshaping the landscape of New York tourism.