Man Defecating Off Paterson Bridge Forced Into River

A man was reportedly defecating from a freight rail bridge in North Jersey on Monday night, and then was forced into a cold river after he was swiped - or nearly hit - by a train.

The man, who was not identified, was forced into the Passaic River by an oncoming train, according to The Record. Emergency workers fished the screaming victim out of the cold water and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A spokesperson for New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway confirmed that one of its trains reportedly "hit someone," The Record said, but were unable to provide any details about the Paterson incident. Other reports suggested the man jumped off the bridge before the train arrived.

An employee on the train saw the man on the tracks on a bridge near 4th Avenue with his pants down around his ankles, and attempted to stop the train before striking him, The Record said.

Police received report of the man screaming for help in the Passaic River at around 5:45 p.m., according to the Paterson Times. A firefighter suffered an injury while pulling the victim out of the water, and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

We'll have more information as it comes in.

Patch photo