A drifter in San Francisco's Castro district became a hero when he risked his life in a vain attempt to rescue a man from a burning car.

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Dane Johnsten, who has lived on the street for decades, has a long history of annoying and sometimes threatening behavior, The Los Angeles Times reported. He has been slapped with restraining orders and harried by social workers.

Last month, Johnsten was panhandling when a driver had a seizure and hit another car, which burst into flames. Johnsten ran to the car, tried to pull the driver out and began shouting for fire extinguishers.

He was assisted by a local store manager and by Tony Koestner, a member of the Castro's colorful Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence -- who was wearing a nun's veil, miniskirt and fishnet stockings.

Johnsten tried to revive the driver, Raymond Lee Carver, with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The store manager said that after the crisis was over, he asked Johnsten if there was anything he needed. When Johnsten said he could use a few bucks for food, the manager handed him the $20 he had in his wallet -- and Johnsten told him that was too much and gave him back $10.