A prominent member of the Jewish community had taken cocaine before he was killed in a high-speed car crash, an inquest has heard.

Wealthy philanthropist Benzion Dunner was travelling to his Bournemouth holiday home when his £175,000 Bentley Arnage careered out of control on the A338 Spur Road.

The accident happened on March 22 — two days after the father-of-nine had donated £2 million to people in need of help who came to his Golders Green home during the festival of Purim.

The 45-year-old company director, of West Heath Avenue, was nicknamed ‘God’s postman’ because of the millions he gave away to good causes, and 3,000 mourners attended his funeral.

The vehicle collided with a Toyota Celica before plunging down an embankment and hitting several trees.

Rabbi Dunner’s son Chaim, 22, a passenger in the car, told a Bournemouth coroner’s court on Tuesday how his father had been driving “a bit fast,” adding: “I would say he was doing between 75 and 80 mph.

“Father and I had been chatting. The vehicle swerved and I looked up as we left the road. After the crash, I noticed some smoke and opened the door so father could get out. I dialled 999.”

East Dorset coroner Sheriff Payne asked: “There was some cocaine in his system; can you help me?”

Chaim replied: “He was fine. He did not appear to be suffering from the effects of any drug.”

Rabbi Dunner’s ten-year-old son, Brovch, and family friend Ginette Silber were also in the Bentley.

His wife Esther was driving their seven other children in a car ahead of them.

Rabbi Dunner, who attended Sassover synagogue, in Helenslea Road, Golders Green, and was the son of former Golders Green Conservative councillor Rabbi Aba Dunner, died instantly. His passengers escaped serious injury.

The Toyota driver, Oliver James, noticed headlights behind him. He said: “The vehicle was starting to overtake. Then the bonnet was across the front of me. I hit the brakes and my car started to spin.

“I heard hysterical voices. I remember a small boy next to me shaking and upset. An older lad was saying: ‘We’ve got to get my dad out’.”

Consultant pathologist Dr David Nicholas concluded Rabbi Dunner had died from multiple injuries. Toxi-cology tests found cocaine in his blood and urine.

Dr Peter Sharp said Rabbi Dunner had probably taken the drug in the last few days of his life, adding that it would have affected his driving ability.

Forensic collision investigator PC Christina Wales told the hearing that Rabbi Dunner had been travelling at a high speed and had not braked.

Recording an accidental death verdict, Mr Payne added that cocaine “must have been a contributing factor