POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a serious incident involving a suspected stolen quad bike closed the B6265 Grassington Road at the roundabout junction with the A65 for several hours last night.

Reports from the public said two youths in balaclavas were seen on a quad which had allegedly been stolen from the Malhamdale area.

A rural watch member updated police as it headed down Malhamdale and a member of the public said they saw the machine being driven at speed through Gargrave. The quad then was seen turning up the B6265 off the Grassington Road roundabout where it is understood to have collided with a lorry.

A police vehicle arrived moments later, the witness said.

Emergency services including the air ambulance arrived on scene.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Police are appealing witnesses and information about a serious collision at Skipton involving a red curtain-sided light goods vehicle and a green quad bike that had been reported stolen.

"It occurred on the B6265 Grassington Road, near the junction with the A65 northern bypass, on Tuesday (21 September 21) at around 5.25pm.

"The light goods vehicle was travelling towards Skipton and the quad bike was heading in the opposite direction having come from Gargrave Road and along the A65 bypass.

"Two males on the quad bike, who are aged in their late teens and from the Bradford area, sustained serious injuries. They are receiving treatment in hospital.

"The road had to be closed while forensic collision investigation work was undertaken.

"North Yorkshire Police has referred the collision to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to the presence of a police vehicle at the time of the incident, which is standard procedure under such circumstances.

"Anyone who witnessed the collision or saw any of the vehicles prior to the incident, including any dash-cam footage, is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room quoting reference number 12210206442.

"Information can also be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org."