Accidents and Incidents
During the time period from January 1, 2016 – July 1, 2022, there have been over 150 carriage industry incidents recorded by the City of Charleston. A number of these violated the law.
Accidents Since 2016
During the time period from January 1, 2016 – July 1, 2022, there have been over 140 carriage industry incidents recorded by the City of Charleston. A number of these violated the law.
According to City policy, the police are NOT required to be called to the scene of a carriage-related accident/incident. No witnesses are required to give a statement of what they saw. Please be aware that these reports are often filled out by barn managers who are typically not present at the time of the incident/accident or are filled out by drivers of the wagon.
Additionally, the information provided comes from the City of Charleston’s Tourism Department records.
An Accident/Incident can Include More Than One Category
View All Accidents/Incidents
INCIDENT 150
This was an incident on Montagu Street reported by a citizen and we are filing a FOIA to get the details from the city.
INCIDENT 149
On January 6, 2023, the driver of a car with a loudspeaker spooked a horse pulling a carriage wagon on tour that was stopped at King and Broad. This was observed by a CEO. The driver of the car has also driven around the market area where the decoy horses are and where the carriage wagons start their tours with loudspeaker at high volume. There have been multiple incidents and the car driver has yelled at the wagon drivers and the horses. It is illegal to tease or molest animals in Charleston and the Tourism Director issued a citation to the driver of the car.
INCIDENT 148
While touring on Greenhill Street, a carriage wagon backed up when the horse took two steps backwards, and the wagon hit a parked car.
INCIDENT 147
While touring on Logan Street, the carriage wagon driver pulled over. A lady in a car tried to pass the wagon and made contact with the wagon. No other information was given.
INCIDENT 146
While touring on Logan Street, the wagon driver pulled over to maintain the general flow of traffic. The lead vehicle was following closely behind the carriage wagon. Once the driver pulled the wagon over, the horse shifted his weight causing the wagon to roll back about 12 inches then making contact with the vehicle.
INCIDENT 145
While on tour, one horse of a pair pulling a carriage wagon put his head down and got his halter or halter ring stuck on the bolt of of the carriage yoke. When he tried to free his head, both horses began to back up, which caused the carriage to jackknife. The called the barn for help. The passengers were removed from the wagon. As the staff was trying to move the horse’s head downward to release the halter from the yoke bolt, the horse laid down in the street. The halter was released from the yoke bolt and the carriage was moved away. The horse was able to get up and both horses were hitched to an empty wagon and walked back to the barn. A vet was called to check both horses. There were no injuries and both horses returned to work the next day.