NATCHEZ &045; Henry McManus didn’t know he would be saving a life, when he drove to a friend’s house to help with a Fourth of July barbeque.

McManus pulled a man out of a burning vehicle that had flipped three times on Interstate 12 in Baton Rouge July 3, 2004, while other cars passed by trying to get to their destination.

&uot;I would want someone to get me out of a burning car,&uot; McManus said.

The Baton Rouge Police Department awarded McManus with a citizen commendation award in recognition for his act.

Surrounded by his fianc, Fallon Strother, and family in his native Natchez home, the hero uses a tissue to damp a bleeding nose from shaving. Earlier that day McManus went to a doctor because he got a piece of metal in his eye from helping a friend build a shed.

&uot;Hank is an accident,&uot; joked sister Kelly Pugh.

&uot;He wouldn’t have looked much like a hero with that beard,&uot; added his mother, Gwen McManus.

Although jokes were being made about McManus’ accident-prone behavior, the night for his most crucial movements was a serious moment for the 27-years-old man.

&uot;He was really shook up that night,&uot; Strother said.

Strother worked at Our Lady of the Lake Medical, where the victim was checked in, that night. She had no idea the big emergency that came through her hospital doors was connected to her fianc. She would find out until McManus picked her up from work later that night.

&uot;He told me ‘All I kept thinking was I hope someone would do that for me,’ &uot; Stroher said.

Multiple thoughts came over McManus, as he pulled over to the scene.

&uot;First I thought … I hope this doesn’t hit me while it’s flipping. Then I thought I hope the guy’s face isn’t that bad,&uot; McManus said.

The one fear that still haunts McManus is the victim’s face.

&uot;I would be sitting there (day-dreaming) and I would just see his face,&uot; McManus said. &uot;I could see his face as the car flipped.&uot;

The victim’s nose was split across, hanging from the right side of his face.

&uot;I was shaken up more after the accident than during,&uot; he said.

His mother, Gwen McManus, is not shocked by the courage her son showed at the accident.

&uot;Hank is a very caring person,&uot; she said.

Henry McManus was stunned how many people passed the accident, more concerned about getting to their destination on time than helping with a severe accident.

Only one other car stopped to help with the accident that involved the driver and his passenger. McManus said a police offer told him it is more of a problem with no one stopping to help than too many compared to 35 and 50 years ago.

&uot;It was a huge deal for the gentleman (victim) involved. He could’ve died if it wasn’t for him (McManus),&uot; Baton Rouge Sgt. Don Kelly said.

Four days a week as McManus drives on Interstate 2, he’s reminded of the night a helpless stranger or himself could have died.

&uot;Every time I drive it, I look at the skid mark. I can’t help but not think about it,&uot; McManus said.

McManus and his fianc are in the process of moving from Baton Rouge to Shreveport.

&uot;I drive pretty slow now (after the accident),&uot; he said. &uot;You can see how quick it can happen&uot;

That night of the accident after his friends asked him why he was so late, McManus simply replied, &uot;I had something to care of.&uot;

The victim survived the accident and received a DWI. McManus didn’t find out the victim survived until the award ceremony on May 10, almost a year later. McManus has not received a phone call or thank you from the victim.

&uot;I’m not holding it against him,&uot; he said.

From the chair where he is still holding a tissue for his nose, the hero put in one last piece of advice.

&uot;Tell everyone to be careful while you’re shaving,&uot; he said.