Vigil held for tourist killed in Central Park horse carriage crash is part of latest push for citywide ban

A vigil was held Monday for the 18-year-old tourist who died in a horse carriage crash in New York City's Central Park. 

Councilmember Chris Marte organized the event in memory of Romanch Mahajan, who was on a family trip from India at the time of last week's fatal accident, in his push for a citywide ban on horse carriages.

Councilman wants horse carriage ban

Flowers were left in Central Park at the vigil organized by Marte, several other city politicians, and the group New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets. 

Marte, who sponsored Ryder's Law, the proposed horse carriage ban that failed in the City Council last year, said he's renaming it Romanch's Law in this latest push. 

A hearing on the bill is scheduled in July.     

"Why aren't we taking action immediately?" Marte said. 

The councilman also read out a statement from Mahajan's family during the vigil. 

"The tragic and preventable death of our beloved nephew, Romanch Mahajan, has left our family completely shattered. Romanch was a bright, brave 18-year-old with his whole life ahead of him. In a desperate attempt to protect his mother, this was not an unpredictable accident. It was a direct result of a severe safety violation and systemic failure to protect tourists," he read. 

The family requested a permanent memorial honoring Mahajan. 

Horse carriage rides resume

In the aftermath of the crash that killed Mahajan, horse carriage drivers decided to pause their operations until Tuesday.

TWU Local 100, the union representing carriage drivers, said it paused rides in order to go over safety rules and protocols regarding carriage operations, including how to secure and maintain control of the horses at all times. 

"Our discussions with drivers and carriage owners over the last four days has reinforced our belief that hitching posts should be installed in the park. This is a commonsense safety upgrade that would enable drivers to tether their horses and prevent them from straying. We have suggested hitching posts as a preventative measure for years," TWU Local 100 Administrative VP Alexander Kemp said in a statement to CBS News New York. 

The union said Monday marked Day 4 of the safety stand-down, including refresher training for drivers and engaging with outside experts. Carriages were supposed to be brought to Central Park for training, but the union said it was canceled due to weather. 

Safety teams will be in the park providing oversight and retraining Tuesday, the union said. 

NYCLASS said it criticized the city for allowing carriages to return to service at all. 

"No amount of regulation or reform can prevent the next horse from spooking and killing someone," said Edita Birnkrant, executive director of NYCLASS. 

The union is against permanently banning horse carriages, but said it's committed to a "vision zero approach to improve safety." 

Latest horse carriage incident

Mahajan is believed to be the first person to die on a horse carriage ride in Central Park. 

Mahajan died last Wednesday from fatal injuries he suffered while on the ride. The horse pulling his carriage bolted, then collided with another carriage and toppled over. 

According to TWU Local 100, the driver was outside the carriage taking a photo of Mahajan's family at the time the horse took off.   

It was the latest of eight incidents in just over a year, including last week when a horse died after eating a poisonous plant and last year when tourists had to jump from a speeding carriage.