Lincoln man hospitalized after car goes up in flames near railroad tracks in Waverly

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Lincoln man was taken to the hospital Sunday morning after a car erupted into flames near a railroad track.

At 6 a.m., a deputy with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office was sent to the area of 162nd Street and Highway 6 in Waverly.

When the deputy arrived, they found a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica fully engulfed in flames, according LSO spokeswoman Kelsey Cruz.

The deputy also found a 57-year-old man sitting outside the vehicle near the front of the car.

According to Cruz, the deputy safely pulled the man away from the vehicle. The man was taken to a local hospital with minor burns on his legs.

Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash and any citations are pending further investigation.

The cause of the fire is also under investigation.

According to the sheriff’s office, the fire caused damage to the shunt wires on the track. Shunt wires are responsible for activating the crossing gates.

Damage to the railroad track is estimated to be about $6,000.