HEROES who saved the lives of passengers in an horrific car crash have been honoured for their bravery.

Christopher Strong and another man were among a number of members of the public honoured at a North Yorkshire Police awards ceremony for courage and heroism.

Mr Strong and the second man stopped at the crash scene near Wharram-le-Street in the Yorkshire Wolds on November 27 last year, after a Ford Focus containing five people on their way to work at the Malton Bacon Factory collided head-on with a van.

Despite flames shooting from the vehicles, Mr Strong pulled the van driver to safety, before phoning emergency services, and gathering blankets and first aid kits from passing motorists.

The second man, who did not wish to be named, rescued a badly-injured passenger from the Focus, and Mr Strong took medical advice over the phone to treat him. Mr Strong also carried a third injured man to safety from the focus, before the car exploded.

Three people, including a mother and son, died in the crash but the rescued passengers have since been discharged from hospital.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Lisa Winward of North Yorkshire Police said: "Their quick actions at the scene of the collision undoubtedly prevented further tragedy.

"They acted selflessly despite being confronted by a very dangerous and distressing situation, risking their own lives in the process. It is right that they are formally recognised for their extremely brave actions."

Others commended in the awards included Jason Stacy, a Control Room call-handler at North Yorkshire Police who received a call from a suicidal woman in July 2013. He spent more than three hours on the line with her and persuaded her to speak to a trained negotiator, before officers located her and took her to safety.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Winward, presenting the awards, said: "Jason’s professionalism and compassion in dealing with a distressing situation for over three hours was outstanding. Jason is a credit to North Yorkshire Police."

Special Constable Amanda Popely, based in York, and four officers from the Firearms Support Unit were the first to the scene of an 81-year-old man who had been stabbed by his son on April 6, 2013.

They detained Craig Gill, who was later jailed for ten years, secured evidence and performed first aid on the elderly victim, saving his life.

PC Mark Atkinson of Easingwold Safer Neighbourhood Team found a man who had hanged himself in July last year, and was unconscious and was not breathing. He cut the man down and began CPR, before paramedics took him to hospital where he made a full recovery.

Also recognised were:

-PC Dave Herbert, of Selby’s Priority Crime Team, who was praised for helping reduce crime in the Selby district over the past two years, including locating a stolen firearm, tracking down a multiple burglar, and helping to charge two men who were connected to more than 50 burglaries across four police force areas.

-Ripon-based Forensic Collision Investigator, Traffic Constable Dave Taylor, who was commended for his work dealing with a fatal road traffic collision near Studley Rodger near Ripon on August 3 last year.

Motorcyclist Peter Wilson-Mayor, of Darwen, Lancashire, was riding on the B6265 near Studley Lane when a deer ran out in front him. A short time later, a passing motorist found Mr Wilson-Mayor deceased in the road. TC Taylor's painstaking and detailed investigation into the collision was credited with establishing how Mr Wilson-Mayor died, and his family commented on the thorough nature of the investigation at his inquest.

-PC Lisa Jones and Special Constables Alan Simpson, Richard Barker and Daniel Stubbs, all based in Northallerton, were commended for their investigation into the theft of sunglasses worth £10,000 from a local shop.

-PC Richard Baranovsky of Harrogate Safer Neighbourhood Team, who helped a vulnerable, elderly woman in February 2013, organising a team while off-duty to help him clear her flat of over four tons of material. He also arranged for Social Services support and kept in touch with her to ensure her safety and wellbeing.