DCC David Crompton is believed to have been driving a Land Rover when it struck a tree at the junction of Lovers Lane and Atherleigh Way in Wigan.

The vehicle left the road and overturned, according to Greater Manchester Police.

Mr Crompton was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries after the accident at 8.40pm on December 2 and was later discharged after treatment. He returned to his police post last week.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police were called to the scene of the crash.

The damaged vehicle was taken to a police compound.

Mr Crompton still lives in the Lancashire area where he served and lived before joining West Yorkshire Police.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "On December 2 Deputy Chief Constable Crompton had been driving home after taking part in a four-day selection process in the south of England where he was on the board to choose high potential candidates for the Police Service nationally for the future.

"After a drive of several hours from Hampshire he was nearing home when the vehicle left the road and collided with a tree.

"No other vehicles were involved and there is no suggestion of any road traffic offences.

"He was thankfully not seriously injured in the accident. He returned to work last week."

Mr Crompton was appointed Deputy Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Force in 2008 after previously being made Assistant Chief Constable in October 2004.

He joined the police service with the Greater Manchester force in 1985 where he had experience in both uniform and CID roles and in 2002 he commanded the Tameside Division.

During his period in that division he dealt with the aftermath of the public inquiry into the activities of Britain's biggest mass murderer Dr Harold Shipman and also introduced Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

He holds a degree in geography from Salford University and a diploma in Criminology from Cambridge University. He is married with two daughters.