Overview
- A carriage horse bolted in Central Park on June 17, killing 18-year-old pedestrian Romanch Mahajan after the animal ran from the Cherry Hill area and threw riders and bystanders.
- Con Edison said it detected very low levels of stray voltage on July 16 and July 23 but reported that neither instance originated from its equipment as city crews and utility teams continue technical checks.
- Power has been shut off to the Cherry Hill fountain and nearby lights and the site is blocked with caution tape and warning signs while investigators from Con Edison, city agencies, and unions examine the area.
- The Transport Workers Union supplied photos of utility crews at the scene and stable owner Cornelius Byrne said he received a text claiming crews had 'found the problem and cut the power,' while carriage drivers told lawmakers horses had been unusually nervous at Cherry Hill before the crash.
- The probe comes as the City Council advances a bill known as 'Romanch's Law' to phase out horse-drawn carriages by mid-2028, the Mahajan family prepares a wrongful-death suit, and unions press for a full safety and electrical investigation before any policy change is finalized.