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See the full story · 2 sourcesHorse Drawn Carriages Stray voltage eyed in fatal Central Park horse carriage crash as investigation continues By Phil Taitt Thursday, July 30, 2026 10:55AM Phil Taitt has more on what could have spooked the horse. NEW YORK -- The union representing New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry says stray voltage may have played a role in the runaway carriage crash that killed 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan in Central Park last month, raising new questions about what caused the horse to bolt.
According to the union, Con Edison workers have been investigating reports of stray voltage, or electricity in the ground, inside Central Park to determine whether it may have startled the horse involved in the deadly crash. Photos provided by the Transport Workers Union show Con Edison crews on site looking into the source of the voltage and whether it could have spooked the animal.
In a statement, Con Edison said it "observed very low levels of stray voltage on July 16 and July 23 but determined that neither instance originated from Con Edison equipment.
The investigation comes in the wake of the fatal crash that claimed the life of Mahajan, who was thrown from a carriage after a horse bolted in Central Park. The incident, which was captured on video, renewed scrutiny of the city's horse-drawn carriage industry and intensified calls from critics to ban the practice.
The debate continued at New York's City Hall this week, where the City Council held a hearing on legislation that would phase out horse-drawn carriages by June 2028.
Supporters and opponents staged competing demonstrations as lawmakers considered the proposal. While advocates say the measure appears to have enough support to pass, no vote has been scheduled.
Mahajan's family marked 40 days since his death with a memorial and announced plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.
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