People are often swift to criticise our emergency services and the work they do in helping and protecting us.

Sometimes there is good cause, but too often they are seen as an easy target by those eager to make a point - and possibly a claim.

So it is gratifying to be able to report today on two cases where air ambulance crews and a police officer have performed above and beyond the call of duty to preserve lives.

For Hayley Morris, the paramedics of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance who treated her and then got her to hospital so quickly after she was very badly injured in a car accident, undoubtedly gave her a second chance.

She is now raising funds to in a bid to at least partially repay some of the debt she feels to the ‘Angels of the Sky’ who saved her.

And PC Sean Cannon showed no regard at all for his own safety when he realised people were trapped in a blazing house, running through flames six times to get people out.

His incredible courage deserves public recognition, and he was thanked last night by those he helped to save. West Yorkshire Police Forces should be incredibly proud of him.

These are just two of the incidents our 999 crews may find themselves facing every day, and it is too easy to take what they do for granted.

Next time someone is considering criticising them, they may want to take a few minutes to consider how often these men and women put themselves in harm’s way for people they do not know before opening their mouths.