BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The Southern Raceway announcer in Milton, Fla., urgently told spectators last fall to stay away from an upturned, alcohol-fueled mini-spirit car driven by Justin Abel which had hit the restraining wall on turn four, flipped and was engulfed in flames.

Baldwin County Corrections officer Troy Justin Kelly, 24, moonlighting for the first time on a safety crew, was 100 yards away when he headed toward the wreck and driver Justin Abel, of Milton. Half-way there, he saw the vehicle burst into flames.

“I saw there was enough room between the car and the wall to see if he was coming out, but he wasn’t,” Kelly said. “I stuck my hand in and I was burned and my hair was scorched. There is nothing hotter than an alcohol flame. I told myself, ‘you have to do this.’”

Kelly grabbed Abel by the armpit and pulled his torso from the vehicle and firefighters assisted in his removal.

“I never thought to hesitate,” Kelly said. “I knew he might die if he didn’t get help.”

The dramatic life-saving rescue was recorded by three spectators and placed on You Tube at Justin Abel Sprint Car Fire.

Abel suffered second-degree burns on his body and third-degree burns on his ankles. He was back at the race track two weeks later.

“He told me he didn’t know what to say,” Kelly said Sunday. “He and his dad said if I hadn’t been there, he would have been unable to get out and would have died.”

Kelly’s actions earned a Service Award, Corrections Officer of the Year, a lifesaver award and employee of the quarter, all from the Sheriff’s Office.

Other awards are likely to follow.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack labeled Kelly a “hero.”

“You can see in the video that there was no hesitation,” Mack said. You can tell he was going to save Mr. Abel or die trying.”

Kelly, a Bay Minette native, said he joined the Bay Minette Fire Department in high school and decided to join the Sheriff’s Department three years ago.

“It’s either a firefighter or law enforcement for me,” he said. “I like to help people.”