Pennsylvania Game Commission officer Clint Deniker is a humble man.

So humble in fact, that he does not want the spotlight even after pulling an unconscious man from a fiery car crash several weeks ago.

Deniker was driving on Daugherty Road in Pine Township around 5 p.m. on April 4 when he spotted a car overturned on its hood. As he approached, he also saw that the vehicle’s engine was on fire.

“I drove down quickly and the fire was spreading,” Deniker recalled. “Then I saw a guy’s leg sticking out.”

Deniker immediately radioed his dispatcher, who in turn called 911. He got out of his vehicle and shook the man. There was no response.

“Honestly, I thought he had passed away already,” he said. “The fire was so hot.”

Still, Deniker knew he had to get the man out of the car.

So he took out a knife and cut the man free from his seatbelt. He grabbed the man and pulled him out of the car as flames continued to consume the vehicle.

“I carried him about 50 yards down the road,” Deniker said. “I started to shake him, and he finally responded.”

Deniker stayed with the man, who was conscious but still groggy, until Superior Ambulance officials arrived and took him to Grove City Medical Center.

The injured man, Thomas Stevenson, of Grove City, said he suffered three broken ribs, a fracture in his lower right leg, torn ligaments in his left leg and several cuts on his hands and head in the accident. He is currently being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for his injuries.

Stevenson, 53, said he doesn’t remember anything about the accident but added that he was extremely grateful for what Deniker did for him.

Stevenson said he probably would have died if Deniker had not shown up.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that when the car burnt up, I would’ve burnt up with it,” he said.

Deniker acknowledged that Stevenson probably would have died if he had not pulled him out in time.