Up to 20 military personnel have been injured in a crash between three troop carriers on Salisbury Plain, police said, with two suffering "life changing" leg injuries.

The soldiers were airlifted to Southampton General Hospital following the collision between the convoy in a field near Westdown Camp last night.

Both military and civilian ambulances went to the scene near Larkhill Camp to help the injured.

Wiltshire Police said the two soldiers were passengers in the rear of the third vehicle, which also saw its driver sustain minor head and leg injuries. He was taken to Salisbury District Hospital.

The incident happened yesterday at 6.30pm in a field near Westdown Camp.

The force said a total of nine personnel were taken to Salisbury District Hospital with minor injuries and the majority have now been released.

"Wiltshire Police are investigating the road traffic incident which happened on Salisbury Plain yesterday evening," a force spokesman said.

The spokesman said they received a call from the air ambulance at 6.30pm.

"First responders and three military ambulances were also at the location," the spokesman said.

"We had reports of four to five people with life-changing injuries and approximately 16 others 'walking wounded'.

"The road traffic collision happened on a by-way which cuts through The Plain, hence why we were called.

"It is still regarded as a Wiltshire Police matter as it's on a by-way, although it's off the main road.

"Our officers carried out a detailed examination of the area overnight to determine how this incident happened. It's unlikely we will need to return to the area today."

An Army spokesman said: "We can confirm that there has been a road traffic collision in the Salisbury Plain training area in which it is understood there are a number of casualties.

"The British Army is supporting Wiltshire Police and South West Ambulance Service with their response to the incident which will be duly investigated."

Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which attended the scene, said on Twitter: "Our thoughts are with all those involved in the Salisbury Plain incident and their families this evening. We're thinking of you."

Salisbury Plain is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is the largest military training area in the UK.

Members of the regular 1 Rifles and the reservist 6 Rifles battalions have been taking part in a training exercise called Wessex Storm.

The reservists tweeted: "All 6Rrifles Riflemen on Salisbury Plain are safe and well. Swift and Bold."

Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) was the first emergency service on the scene, landing at 6.27pm following the initial 999 call at 6.11pm.

A spokesman said: "An initial survey of the scene revealed 18 casualties. Three were assessed as critical, two of whom were trapped.

"Air ambulance and hazardous area response team (HART) clinicians worked alongside doctors, paramedics, specialist paramedics and army medics to ensure all patients were assessed and treated as quickly as possible.

"WAA treated the critically injured patients.  WAA airlifted one critically injured patient to Southampton General Hospital as did Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

WAA Critical Care Paramedic Ross Culligan said: “This was an incredibly challenging incident which was dealt with efficiently, professionally and fully by all involved.

"The multi-agency response was fantastic and all those on scene worked extremely hard in difficult circumstances to ensure smooth management of the scene.”

Three SWIFT Medics at the scene - Dr Phil Lucas, Dr Andrew Heavyside and Dr Jonathan Glover - took on roles in care of the critically injured casualties and in triage and communication with the receiving hospitals.

A ‘walking casualty’ assessment and treatment centre was setup nearby staffed by SWAST and Army clinicians to ensure that local hospitals did not receive patients who did not require emergency care.

A spokesman said: "Without this joint team organisation the incident outcome would have been very different."

SWIFT Medics are volunteer doctors living and/or working in Wiltshire who provide out-of-hospital emergency medical care in Wiltshire at the scene of serious accidents or sudden severe medical conditions such as cardiac arrest, severe asthma or meningitis.

To find out more visit www.swiftmedics.net