Fairfield University student severely burned in car fire

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A group of 10 12-year-old boys saw a car burst into flames in the middle of their little league baseball practice in Fairfield Thursday night.

What they saw next can only be described as horrific: A 23-year-old part-time Fairfield University student identified as Justin Hervey from Armonk, New York, ran out of the car screaming, fully engulfed in flames.

"We have a difficult time processing it and for a 10-year-old, I just don't know how they're going to do that," said Chief Gary McNamara, Fairfield Police.

The following is a 911 call made from the scene.

911 Operator: Fairfield 911, where is your emergency?
Caller: Tunxis Hill Park, there's someone on fire. A car exploded or something.
Operator: Ok, a car's on fire...
Caller: No, a person is on fire. A person was running and they're completely engulfed in flames.
Operator: There's a person on fire ma'am?
Caller: Yes ma'am.

LISTEN TO THE 911 CALLS

• 911 Call 1
• 911 Call 2
• 911 Call 3
• 911 Call 4

There was a loud explosion in the car. About 200 feet away, coaches were finally able to get Hervey down on the ground. They threw blankets on top of him and put out the fire. They say he was very distressed, he kept asking them "what happened, what happened?"

One coach told News 8 he was able to say his name and age and that no one else was in the car, but they say there wasn't a single part of his body that wasn't covered in fire.

One of the coaches tells us the student "was screaming," as he ran toward them. He says, "you couldn't see him. He was a ball of fire."

"Hoping that he can pull through and survive these burns," said Chief MacNamara, "but they are massive and extensive and horrific."

Hervey is in critical condition.

Police are investigating what caused the car and the student to catch fire.