THREE young students from York were seriously injured in a horrific accident near a North Yorkshire beauty spot.

The teenage driver of a Renault Clio was in intensive care with spinal injuries today after her car collided with an oncoming vehicle and spun off a road near Castle Howard.

Firefighters used pneumatic cutters to free her and two others from the mangled vehicle, which had smashed in to a tree at a level eight feet above the ground.

Two fellow students who were also in the car and the elderly driver of a Vauxhall Astra involved in the collision were left with minor injuries and shock.

Three of the five students are believed to come from the Burnholme, Dringhouses and Tadcaster areas. The woman driver of the Astra is from the Slingsby area.

Sergeant Paul Stephenson, one of the first officers on the scene, said the accident was "horrific", with several people covered in blood and one teenager trapped under the car by her arm.

He said the driver had been travelling "at speed" and may have lost control after hitting a bump on the undulating road.

Debris, including study papers and sports gear was left scattered over more than 100 metres of road.

He added: "We are coming up to summer and this area is notorious for serious road accidents that leave people badly hurt.

"I want to show the photographs of accidents like this to make people slow down and take note of driving conditions."

The accident occurred at 12.15pm yesterday on the Castle Howard to Slingsby road when the Clio, travelling towards Slingsby, collided head-on with the other vehicle.

Police said it careered off the road, "twisting and turning" before colliding with a row of lime trees.

Five ambulances attended the accident, as well as two fire tenders and several police units. The road was closed for several hours.

Three people were taken to York Hospital with serious injuries. Three others were also treated for less serious injuries and shock.

A spokeswoman for York College said tutors had spoken to the parents of some of the students involved in the accident.

She said: "We will give any support we can to help those involved in this tragic accident."

Anyone who saw the accident or saw either car beforehand should phone the Ryedale witness line on 01723 509662.

Updated: 10:28 Thursday, April 01, 2004