One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives, the suspected paedophile Stephen Carruthers, has been arrested in France after crashing his car, police have said.

The 43-year-old, who is originally from Bury, skipped bail in 2014 after he was arrested by Cumbria police at his home in the Lake District on suspicion of 18 offences of making indecent photographs of a child.

Investigators believe he has been living under a false name in a cottage in the south of France. His real identity was discovered after he was admitted to hospital after the crash, Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

“The majority of our most wanted fugitives are captured as a result of intelligence-led operations, but with Carruthers his days on the run ended thanks to a huge slice of luck,” said Matt Burton, the head of the agency’s international crime bureau.

“Following the car crash the French authorities carried out checks that revealed his real identity and enabled them to execute the EAW [European arrest warrant]. Now after being at large for nearly three years he will be returned to the UK to face justice.”

According to the NCA, police searching Carruthers’ home after his initial arrest found a computer containing 5,332 indecent images of children, including images of sexual abuse. Carruthers was interviewed, denied any wrongdoing and was granted bail. After he failed to report to a police station he was placed on the NCA’s most wanted list.

The investigators believe he has since been living in Saint-Denis-Catus, about 75 miles north of Toulouse. He was admitted to hospital on Saturday in Cahors, near his suspected hideout, with minor injuries and was kept in for observations. French authorities established his identity on the EU law enforcement database, the NCA said.

After officers arrested him at the hospital, Carruthers appeared before the general prosecutor of the appeal court of Agen where he was remanded in custody. Extradition proceedings are under way and his next hearing is next Wednesday.

Carruthers is the 79th fugitive to be arrested out of 96 publicised through Operation Captura, the NCA’s drive to capture fugitives believed to be living in Spain, where Carruthers was originally thought to be hiding.

Michael Ashcroft, the founder and chair of Crimestoppers, said: “There are still 17 fugitives on the list, many of whom continue to pose a threat to the UK as well as the communities where they hide. They rarely cease their criminal activity once they’re on the run, which is why we pursue them.

“I would ask anyone with information on outstanding fugitives to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use our anonymous online form, safe in the knowledge you will never have to give your details, speak to the police or go to court.”

Other people on the list include Jamie Acourt, a former suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder case, who is wanted by the Metropolitan police on suspicion of drugs offences.

According to the NCA, Acourt is “believed to be a principal member of an organised crime group involved in the large-scale supply of cannabis. He is described as 173cm tall, athletic build, pale complexion, dark brown hair, brown eyes, and sometimes wears glasses”.