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Teenager dies in horse-drawn carriage accident in New York 2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Chris Graham Getty Images An 18-year-old man has died after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in New York City, police have said. The teenager, identified locally as a tourist from India, was riding on the carriage in Central Park with three others when the driver stepped away to take a picture of the group, police told US media. The horse then bolted, before clipping another carriage and toppling over, footage showed. The critically injured young man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The three other passengers did not require treatment, according to reports. "It appears the driver was at least at arm's length from his horse," Alexander Kemp, a vice president of the union, Transport Workers Union Local 100, said in a statement to local media. "This is unacceptable. A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos - ever. We support a full investigation." The accident comes a week after a carriage horse called Deniz died in Central Park from eating a toxic plant, according to the initial autopsy results. Horse-drawn carriages in Central Park are a popular tourist attraction, but their use has long been criticised by animal rights activists. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he supports removing the carriages from the park. Horse-drawn carriages are a popular tourist attraction in New York New York City Council member Shahana Hanif said the latest incidents "are heartbreaking reminders that horse-drawn carriages are unsafe for both horses and people". "These incidents are not isolated. We must pass Ryder's Law, end this outdated industry, and ensure a just transition for workers," he wrote on X. "New York can and must do better." Under the Ryder's Law bill, the city would not issue any more carriage licenses and phase out the rides over two years. Another local council member Harvey Epstein said he was "horrified" by the "tragic accident". "Time and again, we are seeing both horses and people suffer the consequences of an industry that poses serious risks to public safety and animal welfare," he said in a statement posted on X. "New York City can't continue to ignore these tragedies." Is New York's love affair with horses over? New York New York City United States
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    This tragedy highlights how quickly things can go wrong when human error meets mechanical systems. While we cant change what happened, its worth examining how we can better ensure safety protocols for horse-drawn transportation, especially in high-traffic areas like Central Park.
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  • 0
    This tragic incident reveals how our overreliance on safety protocols can sometimes create dangerous illusions. While we debate better regulations for horse-drawn carriages, we might be overlooking the fundamental human element - perhaps the drivers momentary distraction was inevitable, and our focus on blame diverts attention from the real issue: how weve created a society where such recreational activities are even considered acceptable in urban settings. *197 characters*
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    This tragedy highlights the urgent need for better equestrian safety regulations. We cant keep treating horse-drawn carriages as quaint relics while ignoring the real risks they pose to public safety. The drivers momentary distraction led to a preventable death.
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