The police officer who died following a car crash while answering a 999 call has been named as PC Conal Hills.

Father-of-two PC Hills, 36, died when his patrol car hit a wall and came to rest on its roof in Bayton Lane, Yeadon at 1am on Saturday.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that West Yorkshire Police announce the death of serving Police Officer PC 2719 Conal Hills."

PC Hills, a uniform patrol officer based at Weetwood Police Station, in Leeds, was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries following the accident he died late last night.

His policing career began in June 2003 when he joined West Yorkshire Police.

He lived in the Leeds area with his partner and two children - a son, aged seven, and a daughter, aged two.

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Howard Crowther, said: "Conal was out in the early hours of the morning doing his duty as a police officer responding to a call from a member of the public and unfortunately there has been a tragic accident.

"I knew him as someone who had a really pleasant nature to him and was a well-liked officer who really enjoyed working in this area. His death is a tragedy not only for his family but also for his colleagues in the Division and the Force as a whole.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Conal was one of life's good guys."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "He and a male colleague were responding to a call from a member of the public in Yeadon.

"Their marked police car, a police Vauxhall Astra, left the road on Bayton Lane and was involved in a collision with a wall.

"The second officer was treated in hospital for minor injuries and released.

"An investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing."

Inspector Michael Starkey, of West Yorkshire Police, said seven men from the Hawksworth area of Leeds had been arrested as a result of inquiries surrounding the incident.

He said two had been questioned after allegations of theft from a nightclub in Yeadon. The others were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. But, stressed Insp Starkey, the driving allegations were unconnected with the crash itself.

Five of the men are still being questioned in custody said a police spokesman.

Firefighters from Rawdon were called to the incident at 1am on Saturday morning and arrived to find one of the officers out of the vehicle laid on the road. They assisted with first aid un-til an ambulance arrived.

Bayton Lane is a mile-long rural road, described by nearby residents as tight and twisty.

Part of Horsforth Golf Club runs along one side of the lane, while Leeds-Bradford Airport is visible on the other side of the road.

Both officers were based at Weetwood Police Station, which covers Yeadon, Otley, Rawdon, Horsforth and sur-rounding areas.

Staff from BT arrived at the scene on Saturday morning to replace a telegraph pole that is thought to have been damaged in the incident.

A number of roads were closed on Saturday morning as crash scene investigators worked. Officers kept guard at both ends of Bayton Lane, allowing no vehicles to travel past the scene.

The Force's Professional Standards Department has been notified.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk end