• 18-year-old tourist dies after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.
• The accident occurred when the driver stepped away to take a photo.
• Local officials are calling for an end to the horse carriage industry due to safety concerns.

An 18-year-old tourist has died following a tragic accident in Central Park, where he fell from a horse-drawn carriage. The incident occurred on June 17 when the horse bolted after the driver stepped away to take a photograph, leading to the carriage tipping over and colliding with another carriage. The young man was hospitalized with critical injuries and later pronounced dead according to South China Morning Post, BBC, and Le Monde.

The driver reportedly left the carriage unattended when the accident occurred, which is prohibited. Alexander Kemp, representative of the Transport Workers Union, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, stating, “This is unacceptable. A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos - ever,” as reported by South China Morning Post and BBC.

The accident is part of a series of incidents concerning horse-drawn carriages. Only a week prior, another horse died in the park after ingesting a toxic plant. Local officials, including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have expressed support for phasing out horse carriages in the park, with some advocating for legislation to stop issuing new licenses for carriage services. This reflects a growing movement to prioritize public safety and animal welfare amid rising concerns about the carriage industry, according to South China Morning Post, BBC, and Le Monde.