A 71-year-old cyclist has died after colliding with a dog in New York City’s Central Park, according to police.

The fatal incident happened Monday morning on East Drive near East 84th Street. Authorities said the cyclist was riding through the park when a golden retriever ran into his path, causing a collision that sent him crashing to the pavement.

The man was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

His identity had not been released as of Monday, pending notification of his family.

Cyclist Collided With Dog on East Drive

According to the NYPD’s preliminary account, the cyclist was traveling northbound on East Drive at approximately 8:18 a.m. when the dog entered his path.

The collision caused the man to fall from his bicycle and suffer serious head and body injuries. He was subsequently transported to the hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead.

Authorities have not indicated that the cyclist was struck by another vehicle or involved in any other collision.

The dog, identified by reports as a golden retriever, survived the incident without injuries. Its owner remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

Questions Surround the Dog’s Leash

The circumstances surrounding the dog’s presence on the roadway have drawn attention because Central Park has specific rules governing when and where dogs can be off-leash.

Dogs are permitted to run off-leash in designated areas of Central Park during certain hours. The permitted morning period runs from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

However, the Central Park Conservancy says dogs must remain on short leashes while on the park’s drives.

The collision occurred during the morning period when dogs may be off-leash in designated areas, although the specific rules concerning the park’s drives remain relevant to the investigation.

Dog Owner Remained at the Scene

Police said the dog’s owner did not leave following the collision.

According to FOX 5 New York, the owner attempted to provide CPR to the cyclist before emergency responders arrived.

The dog itself was not injured in the crash.

As of the latest reports, police had not issued a summons to the dog’s owner for any violation. The NYPD said the investigation remains ongoing.

Central Park Conservancy Responds

The Central Park Conservancy expressed sadness over the fatal incident and emphasized the importance of visitors following park rules.

The organization said it was “heartbroken to hear of the fatal incident that occurred in Central Park this morning involving a cyclist and an off-leash dog.”

It also stressed that Central Park is a shared public space used by millions of people and that visitors have a responsibility to help keep it safe.

The Conservancy urged park users to follow regulations, including keeping dogs leashed where required and observing cycling speed limits.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

The NYPD has not identified the cyclist publicly while authorities notify his family.

Police have also not indicated that criminal activity was involved in the incident.

Investigators are continuing to examine exactly how the collision occurred and whether any violations contributed to the man’s death.

For now, the tragedy has highlighted the potential dangers created when cyclists, pedestrians and dogs share the busy pathways and roadways of Central Park.

The dog survived the collision, while the 71-year-old cyclist died from injuries sustained in the crash.