Driver Stepped Out Before Teen's Fatal Central Park Fall
On June 17, 2026, a Central Park carriage driver who had stepped out to take a photo was away from the passengers when the horse bolted and Romanch Mahajan, 18, suffered a fatal head injury.
Reported by press, not yet linked to NYC police crash records. This may change when new official records become available or when matching details are reviewed.
Location under review
What We Know
On June 17, 2026, 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was riding in a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park with relatives visiting from India. Multiple outlets reported that the carriage driver had stepped out to take a photo near West 71st Street and Centre Drive or Cherry Hill before Sampson, the horse pulling the carriage, became spooked and bolted. Mahajan suffered a head injury and died later at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. Sources differed on the exact sequence: some reported he fell as the horse began running, while others described him being thrown during or after the carriage overturned following contact with another carriage. The drivers union said a driver should never leave a carriage to take photos, halted rides for safety review, and backed a full investigation; police said no charges had been filed as of June 18.
The photo stop became the focus of the investigation
Most accounts place the incident shortly after 2:45 p.m. on June 17, 2026, during a Central Park carriage ride. Later reports identified the driver as Ertan Gokdepe and said he had stepped out to photograph the passengers before the horse, Sampson, moved off and bolted.
Romanch Mahajan suffered a serious head injury and was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where police said he died later that evening. ABC7 reported that the medical examiner ruled the cause of death blunt force trauma and the manner of death an accident.
Coverage differed on the precise sequence. The Daily News reported that early accounts had Mahajan in the carriage when it flipped, while another source said he fell out as the horse began running and before the carriage went over. Other outlets described the carriage overturning after contact with another carriage.
A Central Park sightseeing stop became the scene
Reports placed the incident around West 71st Street and Center or Centre Drive, at Cherry Hill near Bethesda Fountain, during a carriage ride through Central Park.
Some coverage also described points farther south along the runaway path, including near Tavern on the Green, where sources said the horse was stopped or where later contact with another carriage was reported.
A graduation trip ended with a death
Mahajan, 18, was visiting from India with his family and had come to New York after finishing high school. Relatives told reporters that the trip was meant to celebrate his graduation and that he had recently learned he was accepted to Manipal University Jaipur.
His family described him trying to help or protect his mother during the runaway ride. At a later City Council hearing, his father said Mahajan tried to help his mother after she fell and then did not move again.
The union said the driver should not have left the carriage
Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers, said a driver is not supposed to leave a carriage to take photos. The union called the reported conduct unacceptable and said it supported a full investigation.
The Daily News reported on June 18 that the NYPD was investigating and that no charges had been filed. The Post later reported that Sampson had been retired and that the driver had been suspended.
Rides paused as the ban debate moved to City Hall
After Mahajan's death, TWU Local 100 suspended carriage operations in Central Park and held refresher training for drivers. ABC7 reported that passenger tours were not conducted during the training period.
The death intensified calls to end horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park. Council Member Christopher Marte moved to rename the proposed ban from Ryder's Law to Romanch's Law, and City Council members later debated the measure at a public hearing where Mahajan's family urged passage.