AN IOWA MAN HAD JUST FINISHED HIS SHIFT WHEN HE WAS THRUST INTO A SECOND JOB AS A LIFE-SAVING HERO. (PHOTO).

 An Iowa man had just finished his shift when he was thrust into a second job as a life-saving hero. 

On July 14th, Alex Horak had gotten off of work and was making his way home on the same roads he travels daily. 

A sudden flash of dust caught Alex's attention, causing him to veer from his normal route onto a graveled side road. As he turned, he began noticing that a nearby train was operating in a peculiar fashion. Alex says that once he realized the train was slowing to a stop, he knew that some kind of accident had taken place.

Only seconds later, Alex discovered a vehicle that had obviously been struck by the train. He then noticed two occupants still inside of the mangled vehicle.  

As Alex was making his way to the vehicle, it suddenly burst into flames. Now, Alex was in a life or death situation with only seconds to spare.

Hero mode was activated.  With thousands of gallons of ethanol, only feet from the burning car, Alex sprang into action. 

Alex rushed to the vehicle and successfully extracted the two occupants, who would later be revealed to be brothers; a 16-year-old and a 12-year-old.  

Both victims were rushed to a hospital. They are now recovering in a Minnesota hospital with significant head and upper body injuries.  The brothers have undergone multiple surgeries and still have a long way to go. Thanks to Alex, they at least have a fighting chance.

Alex insists he only did what anyone else would have done.  He does not see himself as a hero.

Kossuth County Sheriff Roger Fisher sees things differently.  He says he has no doubt in his mind that Alex's actions that day saved those boys from critical burns at the least, but possibly even death. 

Don't argue with the Sheriff, Alex. He's correct.