The following is a list of Hansom cab accidents in New York
City injuring or endangering people and horses.
July 4, 2007 - A carriage horse spooks on
Central Park South and collides with a taxi. The 12 year old horse named Bud
suffered several gashes on his rear legs. The cabby is hospitalized. A
motorcyclist and his bike are hit with the carriage.
Click on the images below.
Photo credit: Juan Arellano ©
2007
June
2, 2007 - Accident on Seventh Avenue and 56th Street - A
young horse spooks on Seventh Avenue and 56th St. and gallops into traffic
still attached to his carriage. At 54th St., he is hit by an SUV and falls
to the pavement. The Department of Health veterinarian deems him ready to go
back to work only two days later.
April 13, 2007 - Accident on Central Park South at Grand Army Plaza
- A taxi crashed into a carriage; horse was walked back to stable
- The ASPCA learned about this through a passerby who reported it to them. It
was not reported by the media. We do not know what happened to the horse.
16
September, 2006 - For Central Park Carriage Horse, Death Arrives Inelegantly
- New York Times - By COREY KILGANNON
Please note that the horse who died was first identified
as Rusty in the 9/15 issue of the NY Times - then as Juliet on 9/16.
Both
horses are listed on the Department of Health roles. This is an odd
"mistake" - the driver offering up the wrong name. Were there two
horses? Was Juliet being double shifted and wearing Rusty's tags? Is
anyone investigating?
5 May, 2006 - Wild West Side Horse
Crash - a carriage horse from Shamrock Stable got spooked by loud traffic
noises at 46th and 11th Ave., ran wild and crashed into a car while still
attached to his cab, which fell on its side. Conflicting information about
horse being injured; car's driver was hospitalized. NY Post; API See
photos below:
28 April, 2006 - a
spooked horse ran wild in Central Park crashing into a 71 year
old bicyclist who was seriously injured and suffered a broken hip.
A most horrific hansom cab accident in midtown Manhattan - January 2, 2006.
Photo
© by Catherine Nance
3 January 2006 - HORSE BOLTS & INJURES 3 IN MIDTOWN “A spooked horse bolted on a midtown
street ..., ejecting the driver of the carriage..., then galloping straight
into a station wagon...” at Ninth Avenue and 50 St. Three people were
hospitalized, one critically. “The horse was pinned under the car...” and was
later euthanized. Daily News, Jan. 3, 2006, p. 6 (It took the police and fire
dept. ½ hour to extricate the horse from under the car.) Photo above.
Spotty, a five year old
gelding from West Side Livery -- only in NYC for a few months -- is shown
limping on his left front leg. He is terrified and resistant as he is led away
to be euthanized after injuring his leg in this accident.
14 May 2005 - “FEAR UNBRIDLED; 2 HORSES ASTRAY IN CITY”
Two horses galloped through the streets of Manhattan after their carriage was
rear-ended by a van. “The carriage flipped over and freed them around 14 St.
And Eighth Avenue.” The horses were later apprehended by the police. They
belonged to Chateau Stables on W. 48 St. NY Newsday, May 14, 2005, p. A.08
25 October 2003 - “CARRIAGE RIDES GONE WILD” 4 HURT.
At Fifth Avenue and 61 St. a carriage horse “was startled for an unknown
reason and reared up, tipping its carriage... Two female tourists and the
carriage driver were dumped out and injured. NY Newsday, Oct. 25, 2003, p. A.
12
22 January 2002 -
“STUCK IN TRAFFIC” – A horse
pulling a carriage got spooked and bolted at 10th Ave. and 56th St. His
carriage got wedged between two cars and was so unnerved that he needed to be
tranquilized. It took several people to free him. A few cars were damaged.
January 22, 2002
26 November 2001 -
A taxi cab collided with a
horse-drawn carriage in the southern end of Central Park, startling the
horse and injuring the carriage driver – November 26, 2001
9 November 2000 - “HORSE MAKES IMPRESSION” After leaving the carriage
the horse stomped on a number of vehicles stuck in traffic...” Chelsea
Clinton News, The Blotter, Nov. 9-15, 2000.
2
November 2000 -
“HANSOM HORSE’S TALE OF WHOA”
“A horse broke free from its carriage yesterday at Columbus Circle and hit at
least one car as it galloped to Broadway - stopping morning traffic as people
watched in horror. The horse went about half-a-block before the harness
broke, entangling the animal and tripping him... The horse fell and slid down
the street....; I started to cry...” Maria Alvarez, NY Post, Nov. 2, 2000,
p. 20
5
September 2000 -
“CARRIAGE HORSE ESCAPES DRAFT”
“A runaway carriage horse broke free from its owner” “at W. 59 St. And Central
Park South” and “ ran headlong through the streets of Manhattan yesterday...”
“...Cops moved pedestrians and drivers out of [the horse’s] path until they
blocked [his] escape at W. 72nd St. And Central Park West.” NY Daily News,
Sept. 5, 2000, p. 17
28 August 2000 - “BUGGY TUMBLES TOSSES TOURISTS”
A carriage horse bucked in Central Park, tipping over the carriage and
injuring a family of 4 tourists in a” harrowing ... tumble.” The horse then
took off through the park heading straight for a hot dog vendor who had to
jump out of the way. “Thank God no one was killed,” said the driver. NY
Daily News, Aug. 28, 2000 p. 22
27
April 2000 -
“BRONCO GOES BONKERS ON AVENUE”
A carriage horse “broke lose from his midtown stable..” “Narrowly missing
being hit by a bus” he turned onto Tenth Ave, running a red light “and
creating havoc as drivers slammed on their brakes to avoid hitting him.” He
headed for a traffic agent who had her back to him. Approximately 1000 lbs.
was galloping towards her. “If I had stood there for another second, he would
have killed me,” she said. NY Daily News, April 27, 2000, p. 7
9 August 1999 - “BOLTING CARRIAGE HORSE HURTS 2"
A runaway horse and carriage struck a car and jumped the sidewalk, where it
knocked down a 70 year old man and a 68 year old woman at Ninth Avenue and 51
St. “The woman ... was pinned under one of the horse’s rear hooves,” and was
treated for minor injuries. “The man will have to have his hip replaced
because of the fall ... .” NY Post, Aug. 6, 1999, p. 12
1 July
1999 -
“CARRIAGE HIT”
The carriage struck two parked cars before the horse galloped into another
car.” Chelsea Clinton News, July 1-7, 1999
28
June 1999 -
“HORSE BUGGY DRIVER HURT IN HIT-RUN”
At Central Park West and 69 St. a hit-and-run driver smacked into the cab of a
horse-drawn carriage throwing the carriage driver onto the street
and shattering her jawbone and sending her spooked horse galloping north on
Central Park West. “The gelding’s wild run ended when he bolted into the
southbound lane and was hit by an oncoming car. ” N Y Daily News, June 28,
1999, p. 12
21
June 1999 -
“A HERO AND TWO HORSES”
A horse pulling a hansom cab was startled and threw his driver on Central Park
West and 67 St. “A second hansom cab driver ...tried to stop the runaway
horse...” but failed. “... Horse No. 1 got stuck between a parked car and a
yellow cab, which hit the horse...” Unfortunately the yellow cab driver was
injured and hospitalized. He was in stable condition with head and neck
injuries...” “The second cab driver also sustained minor injuries...” NY
Newsday, June 21, 1999, p. A.15
9
January 1999 -
“CARRIAGE HORSE IS ELECTROCUTED ON STREET”
Jackie, a 7-year-old carriage horse collapsed and died after she stepped on a
steel Con Edison service box cover on E. 59 St. The wet weather, a short
circuit and “‘the fact that the horse was wearing metal shoes made a
tremendous difference,’” said a Con Ed worker. NY Times, Jan. 9, 1999. p. 3
29 April 1998 -
“RUNAWAY HORSE KILLED BY VAN” A
horse broke his halter, ran into a busy street, and was killed by an oncoming
car. The driver of the car was treated for back injuries – NYPost – April 29,
1998
13
January 1998 -
“CARRIAGE RIDE TURNS INTO BRONCO BUST”
“A runaway horse and buggy sent scores of Times Square strollers fleeing for
their lives...” Two tourists “...jumped from the careening carriage before
it flipped into a pole and broke apart at Seventh Ave. And 42nd St.” The
horse “was headed toward a hotel entrance when the carriage flipped.” “The
tourists were taken to the hospital...” NYDaily News, Jan. 13 , 1998, p. 8
24 November 1997 - “TOURIST RUN OVER BY HORSE”
“A runaway horse took its carriage for a wild ride along Central Park South
yesterday afternoon, running over a tourist.” She “was knocked to the ground
and dragged for a few feet after the horse bounded onto the sidewalk and
plowed into her...” “The horse...began its rampage near Columbus Circle. Its
first victim was a... Ford parked along Central Park South.” “...The driver
of the carriage... allegedly took off - with the horse,” but was later
apprehended by the police. NY Daily News, Nov. 24, 1997.
4 September 1997 -
An elderly woman was seriously injured and eight other people hurt when
two carriages overturned after the horses were spooked by a passing car.
September 4, 1997
1 May 1997 -
“ HANSOM HORSE DIES IN HARNESS” – a horse pulling a hansom cab on 49th St.
between Seventh and Eighth Avenues tripped, then died as he struggled to get
up. NY Post p.26 - May 1, 1997
2
September 1996 -
“HANSOM-CAB HORSE DIES ON STREET”
“...The crowd gathered outside the Hotel St. Moritz on 59 St. Saturday night
confronted a sight more horrific than romantic: A 10 to 12-year old gelding
...collapsed face first onto the street and died.” NY Newsday, Sept. 2,
1996, p. A 16
7 May 1994 -
Picture of injured or dead carriage horse on NYC TV station – (courtesy of
Carriage Horse Action Committee) – May 7, 1994
(To enlarge photo,
click on photo or link)
21 April 1994 - “END OF THE ROAD” – A
dietary error led to cramps so severe that a horse had to be euthanized after
collapsing in Central Park. Midtown Resident – April 21, 1994
(To enlarge photo,
click on photo or link)
26 August 1991 - “DEATH OF CARRIAGE HORSE PROBED SAME
OWNER HAD ONE DIE 2 WEEKS AGO”
Both horses may have died of colic. Newsday, Aug. 26, 1991, p. 3
To enlarge the photos,
click on the photos or links
Mane Event Near Zoo - Carriage Horse
Treated, Killed, Left for Sanit Men - New York Times - Aug. 26, 1991
"Strollers found the carcass of a carriage
horse near the entrance to the Central Park zoo" ... "had been euthanized by
a veterinarian ... after developed crippling leg pain." Left overnight in
the park, the horse was later dumped in a landfill in Long Island. His name
was Nickels.
15 May 1990 -
A horse pulling a carriage was fatally injured when he was trapped between
a bus and a car. May 15, 1990
May 15 1990 Accident
Diagram
16 August 1988 - “WHITEY IN THE PINK”
Whitey, an 8 year old carriage horse who had collapsed from heat stroke a few
days earlier was on the road to recovery ...” Newsday Aug.16, 1988, p. 3
16 August 1988 - “ANOTHER HORSE WHO COLLAPSED FROM HUMID
HEAT DIED”
Misty, “another carriage horse who collapsed two weekends ago, ...died, and
her body was dragged across 12th Avenue to be dumped at the city sanitation
pier...” “ASPCA agents are trying to find Misty’s owner and driver who they
say may have violated city ordinances. Not since 1982, when three horses
died, has life been so grim for the 200 licensed carriage horses, ASPCA agents
say. They’re lobbying the Koch administration for the strongest possible
reforms.” Newsday Aug.16, 1988, p. 3
16 August 1988 - 3 HORSES DIED IN ONE YEAR
1982 was a particularly bad year for carriage horses. Newsday, Aug. 16,
1988, 1988, p. 3
15 August 1988 - “TOO HOT TO TROT A HORSE”
An 8 year old horse name Whitey collapsed in 90 degree heat at 62nd St. And
2nd Avenue in “hot, steamy weather.” Newsday, Aug. 15, 1988, p. 3 (The law
still permits carriage horses to work in 90 degree temperature with no regard
for the humidity.)
(To enlarge
photo, click
on photo or link)
23 May 1988 -
“LOST HIS STEP” - A horse pulling a carriage fell into a manhole in NYC.
San Antonio paper, May 23, 1988
9 November 1986 -
Frightened by a passing car, a horse took off down the street, crashing
into a building. November 9, 1986
9 December 1985 - “HORSE BOLTS, HITS CAR”
Four female tourists were injured as they were knocked out of their carriage
when it was sideswiped in traffic and the spooked horse bolted down the block
and jumped onto the hood of a car, smashing the windshield at Rockefeller
Center. The horse fell beneath the car, broke its leg and was euthanized. The
horse was owned by Chateau Stables on W. 48 St., where it was said that horse
“had a quiet disposition that you can train. We used him to train other
horses.” ” NY Newsday, Dec. 9, 1985, p. 2
9 December 1985 ANOTHER RUNAWAY CARRIAGE HORSE
“Minutes later, another carriage horse broke loose from its handler at 48 St.
And Broadway and galloped toward its stable” before it was corralled by police
at 12 Avenue and 48 St. “Carriage drivers said yesterday that the holidays
are a particularly dangerous time as cars and carriages attempt to co-exist on
congested streets.” ” NY Newsday, Dec. 9, 1985, p. 2
2 January 1983 - “13 HURT AS FRIGHTENED HORSE HITS
RUNNERS IN PARK”
“Thirteen runners were injured and dozens of others knocked down when a
carriage horse frightened by New Year’s Eve fireworks galloped headlong into
the tightly packed...” crowd. While some runners tried to dodge the flying
hooves and the carriage wheels, “others tripped over those who had been
knocked down. “It was a nightmare,” “People were screaming,” said a young
woman from her hospital bed after being trampled and run over by a carriage
wheel. She suffered a broken rib, bruised rib cage, injured thigh and shin.
Other injuries included a knee injury, broken bones, “and at least
one...concussion.” NY Times, Metropolitan Desk, Jan. 2, 1983
The following did not occur in horse carriage stables.
However, because many of the stables have little fire protection, the
possibility of a fire is great.
8 July 2006 - BARN
FIRE IN MEMPHIS KILLS SEVEN SHOW HORSES - WBIR.COM -
Knoxville, TN - 7/8/06 - The Associated Press
11 April 2006 - BARN FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL, BUT CAUSE
UNKNOWN - Fire at 70-year-old barn at a Hempfield Township PA
equestrian center was accidental - PittsburghLive.com – Tribune-Review – April 11, 2006
24 March 2006 -
“TWO DOZEN HORSES PERISH IN STABLE FIRE” – Upper Freehold, NJ – an
electrical problem sparked a fast moving fire and incinerated a wooden stable,
killing all horses inside, including foals less than a month old. Press of
Atlantic City, March 24, 2006
20 March 2006 -
“13 HORSES PERISH IN CHARLESTOWN FIRE” – Rhode Island A fast moving fire,
quickly turned the wood barn to ashes as it killed all the horses in side. The
cause of the fire is under investigation. The Sun, Rhode Island, March 20,
2006
15 March 2006 -
“HORSES PERISH IN HUNTERDON COUNTY FIRE“ – East Amwell, NJ – 3-7 horses
died in barn fire – cause of fire is unknown.
11 July 2000 - “32 HORSES ARE KILLED IN WESTCHESTER FIRE”
“The barn ...caught fire ... and quickly burned to the ground with the horses
trapped inside... Authorities believe that faulty wiring may have been the
cause ...” NY Times, July 11, 2000, S. B, p. 6
11
June 2000 -
“BROOKLYN STABLE FIRE KILLS 21 HORSES TRAPPED IN STALLS”
Privately owned horses were killed in a stable with no sprinkler system. As
firefighters battled the blaze, “...they could hear horses kicking their
stalls wildly...” “Barns are not required to have sprinkler systems...and
because the barn was filled with hay, the flames moved rapidly through the
stables.” NY Times,, June 11, 2000 S. 1, p. 45
11 June 2000 - “BROOKLYN STABLE FIRE KILLS 54 HORSES”
A few blocks from the stable fire of 2000 that killed 21 horses, this stable
burned down in 1968, killing 54 horses and setting 50 others loose. NY Times,
S. 1, p. 45, June 11, 2000.
