North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a serious two-vehicle collision at Bellerby Camp in the Leyburn area.
It happened at around 3.15pm on Thursday (27 February 2014) at the junction of Moor Road and the unclassified road to Redmire, near to the Bellerby MOD Ranges.
The collision involved a black Vauxhall Corsa containing three 17-year men from Masham and Bedale areas, and a white Mini driven by a woman aged in her mid-60s from the Leyburn area.
All three occupants in the Corsa received life-threatening injuries. The passengers were taken by two air ambulances to James Cook University Hospital on Teesside, and the driver was transported by a third air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary.
The woman in the Mini was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by road ambulance with minor injuries.
Soldiers from Catterick Garrison, who were on exercise at Bellerby training area, heard the collision and immediately responded to the scene and provided first aid while the emergency services were on the way.
The parents of the young men have been informed and are in attendance at the hospitals.
A road closure was in place for almost seven hours while police investigated the scene and to allow the vehicles to be recovered.
Police are keen to trace any witnesses to the collision or anyone who recalls seeing either vehicle prior to the collision. The black Vauxhall Corsa is believed to have driven over Grinton Moor to the crossroads and the white Mini had travelled from Richmond towards Redmire.
If you can assist the investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Andy Fraser or Martin Mulcaster from the Major Collision Investigation Team.