An 18-year-old tourist visiting New York City was killed after a Central Park carriage horse named Sampson got loose and took off Wednesday afternoon, throwing him from the carriage near Tavern on the Green around 2:45 p.m.
When a carriage horse spooked in Central Park on Wednesday afternoon, it wasn’t a slow stumble that followed—it was a takeoff. Near Tavern on the Green around 2:45 p.m., the carriage began speeding through the park, and an 18-year-old tourist visiting the city was thrown from the vehicle.
Police say the tourist fell from the horse carriage and was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition. He later died from his injuries.
The family involved had been getting back into the carriage when the horse, named Sampson, got spooked and took off. It’s unclear how many family members were actually in the carriage when Sampson bolted. A witness, Ron Pobuda, said it happened so fast that there was no chance to react.
“It happened so quickly they didn’t have a chance to think about running or getting out of there,” Pobuda said.
Video from the scene shows a person being thrown from the speeding carriage. Police also said the carriage driver was not in the carriage at the time.
In a statement. TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Alexander Kemp said the situation appeared to involve the driver being “at least at arm’s length from his horse to take a photo of his passengers in the carriage.” Kemp said the horse had been in the park for only six weeks and that the reasons for its sudden run were unknown.
The carriage clipped the wheel of another carriage and toppled onto its side while people were still inside. It appeared a small child was among the group.
Kemp said the union was devastated after hearing the tourist died.
“We are devastated that a passenger died after injuries suffered today in the accident in Central Park. and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. Safety in the park has been a growing concern among many. and improvements are needed to be made with respect to all vehicles. including e-bicycles. delivery vehicles. pedicabs. and horse-drawn carriages. ” Kemp said.
He added that the union’s understanding was that the carriage owner suspended the driver indefinitely and that the horse will be retired from the business. Kemp called the driver’s actions “unacceptable.”
“A driver is not supposed to leave the carriage to take photos – ever. We support a full investigation. We also support enhanced driving training. tougher examinations with a practical component demonstrating proficiency. and rules governing the introduction of new horses into the business. We also support installing hitching posts throughout the park. Thousands upon thousands of rides are taken without incident. but steps must be taken to prevent accidents like this. ” Kemp said.
Kemp said the horse was “OK.”
The Central Park Conservancy. which supports a ban on horse carriages. said it was “absolutely devastated” to learn of the death. In its statement. it said this was the tragedy it feared when it previously called last year for horse carriages to be banned from Central Park due to risks to public safety and public health.
“On behalf of everyone at the Central Park Conservancy. our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this unimaginable time. ” the statement said. “This is the tragedy we feared when we first called last year for horse carriages to be banned from Central Park due to the risks they pose to public safety and public health. A young man came to enjoy our park and lost his life. That is not an acceptable cost of an antiquated industry operating in the middle of one of the most heavily used public spaces in America.”.
The Conservancy renewed its call for New York City to pass Ryder’s Law, which would ban horse carriages and provide transitional job placement services for drivers. It said every day horse carriages remain in the park is a day the safety of New Yorkers and visitors is in jeopardy.
The incident comes just over a week after another carriage horse death in the park. A carriage horse named Deniz died while carrying passengers, and its death was determined to be the result of eating a toxic plant. That earlier death renewed calls to end carriage horses in New York City.
PETA Director Ashley Byrne responded to Wednesday’s incident and the previous one. saying “From collapsing horses to careening carriages. how many more disasters have to strike before we get these beleaguered horses out of the park?. For everyone’s safety. PETA is calling on council members. Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman. and Speaker Julie Menin to stop dithering and pass Ryder’s Law immediately.”.
Central Park carriage horse Sampson tourist death Tavern on the Green Weill Cornell Medical Center TWU Local 100 Ryder's Law Central Park Conservancy PETA Ashley Byrne