A TEENAGER died after his car plunged 200ft down a cliff - weeks after becoming a father.

Luke Demsey, 18, was driving a Ford Escort on the racecourse gallops near Middleham, North Yorkshire, when he lost control.

The vehicle rolled down the cliff and ended up a mangled wreck at the foot of the hill, near a local landmark, Pinker's Pond.

Three other youths were in the car, which crashed on Tuesday night.

One 17-year-old suffered serious injuries, but two other teenagers escaped with only cuts and bruises.

Firefighters were called to free two of the youths from the wreckage.

All four were taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, where Mr Demsey later died.

Last night, friends told how they arrived at the scene minutes after the accident happened.

Blake Storrie, 19, from Middleham, said: "We got a call and were the first on the scene. They had been driving over the gallops and then they went over the cliff. I don't know how it happened.

"We did as much as we could and then waited for the ambulance."

Mr Storrie added: "Luke was a great lad and his fiance just gave birth to a baby boy three or four weeks ago.

"He lived to have fun and didn't have a bad bone in his body."

Another Middleham resident, who asked not to be named, said: "Everybody is in shock.

"It is very sad when someone dies so young."

It is understood the dead man originally came from Liverpool and had lived in Middleham for less than a year.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Sergeant Mick Griffiths, of Richmondshire police, said: "It appears to have been a very tragic accident and our thoughts are with the families. There is an ongoing investigation and an inquest will take place in the fullness of time."

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We got the call at 9.54pm. An ambulance went from Bainbridge and a second vehicle attended from Thirsk.

"One male in his late teens had suffered multiple trauma injuries."

Residents say the gallops are a popular meeting place with teenagers.

Middleham Mayor Tammi Tolhurst said: "They shouldn't be up there, but no matter how many times you tell them or how many signs you put up, they still congregate there."

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247.