Man sets himself on fire in Hackensack

HACKENSACK — A 56-year-old man is in the hospital after he apparently set himself on fire early Wednesday morning at a city train station, officials say.

The man was on the tracks of the Essex Street rail station at 12:18 a.m. when he ignited himself, said Capt. Justin Derevyanik, public information officer for the Hackensack Fire Department.

"He was physically on fire," said Derevyanik. "The fire was extinguished prior to Fire Department arrival by three good Samaritans."

Bystanders stepped in, put out the flames and called authorities, said Nancy Snyder, a spokeswoman for NJ Transit. The identities of the bystanders could not be confirmed, but both Derevyanik and Snyder said they were medical workers. The man was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital.

Investigators do not know whether the man intended to set the fire. Information on the man's condition was not available.

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