Pathankot: Grieving the loss of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in an accident in New York’s Central Park after falling from a horse-drawn carriage, his family is now struggling to bring his body back home for last rites.Romanch’s grandfather, Suresh Mahajan, a resident of Indira Colony, said the teenager had travelled to the US with his parents and younger brother for a brief visit. “They were enjoying a sightseeing ride when, within moments, everything changed,” he said.According to him, the mishap occurred when the carriage overturned after colliding with another buggy. “My daughter-in-law fell first, followed by Romanch,” he added.He said the family was scheduled to meet his daughter, who lives in New York, in the coming days, but the tragedy struck before they could reunite.As per US media reports, the family was riding a traditional horse-drawn carriage near the Cherry Hill area of Central Park when the horse got spooked and bolted. The carriage sped towards West Drive and eventually crashed into another buggy near the Tavern on the Green restaurant. The impact overturned the carriage, throwing Romanch onto the concrete road and leaving him critically injured.The family is now completing formalities to repatriate the body. “We hope to return with Romanch’s body by Sunday evening so his last rites can be performed in Pathankot,” Suresh Mahajan said.Romanch had scored over 90% in Class XII and had recently secured admission to a university in Jaipur.
