'God's postman' who gave away millions snorted cocaine before he died in 80mph Bentley crash

A businessman nicknamed 'God's Postman' after giving millions away to the poor died in a car crash after taking cocaine, an inquest heard.

Benzion Dunner, 45, had been under the influence of the drug while he drove two of his sons and a family friend to a holiday home. 

The accident happened two days after the father of nine had handed £2million to the needy. His funeral was attended by 3,000 mourners.

But yesterday an inquest heard he had taken cocaine some time before the crash, which could have affected his driving. 

Dr Peter Sharp, a toxicologist, found traces of cocaine in Mr Dunner's blood and urine and said he had ingested it in the days leading up to his death.

Dr Sharp said studies had shown taking cocaine before driving can lead to speeding, loss of control, causing collisions and risky, inattentive driving.

When the Bournemouth coroner Mr Sheriff Payne asked him if the cocaine would have affected the victim's driving he replied: 'Sure, yes.' 

Mr Dunner lost control of his car while overtaking another vehicle at 80mph. 

His £175,000 Bentley careered down an embankment and ploughed into a tree, killing him instantly. His passengers and the two men travelling in the other car escaped with minor injuries. 

The wreckage of the Bentley Arnage lies in woodland beside the A31 after the millionaire's accident

The inquest heard that two days before the crash Mr Dunner had spent a night handing out cash to the poor at his home in Golders Green, London. He had been celebrating the Jewish festival of Purim, which marks the delivery of Jews from slavery in Persia.

His father, Rabbi Aba Dunner, said at the time: 'He was singing and dancing with them and made each one feel special. 

'He listened carefully and each one was given help according to their needs. He saw himself as God's postman.

'He said to me, "God doesn't give it to me to put in the bank. He entrusts me to do with it what he would want me to do". 

'He lived life to the full and described himself as a poor man with money. 

'He wasn't looking for the bright lights. He was interested in people on the edge of society and bringing them back into the fold. I just hope it's drawn attention to what's possible when someone doesn't keep wealth for themselves.'

The handout was an annual event for the businessman, who made millions building a successful property empire.

Wealthy living: The family's home in Golders Green, North London

After his death, Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks paid tribute to Mr Dunner, saying he was 'an outstanding exemplar of Jewish values and Jewish responsibility...whose work was done quietly behind the scenes and was all the more impressive for that'.

The inquest was told that on the evening of March 22, Mr Dunner had left his family home for a holiday home in Bournemouth, Dorset. 

His sons Chaim, 22, Brovch, nine, and family friend Ginette Silber, 77, were all passengers. His wife Esther was driving with other members of the family in a car ahead of them.

The accident happened on the A338 as Mr Dunner overtook a Toyota Celica. He clipped its front offside and lost control.

Mr Dunner: 'An outstanding exemplar of Jewish values'

Oliver James, who was driving the Toyota, said he spotted Mr Dunner's fast-approaching Bentley in his rear-view mirror. 

After the crash, Mr James described how he went to the wreckage of the car and tried to help Mr Dunner. 

He said: 'I saw to my right the car down an embankment in trees, the front was smoking, the interior lights were on and some of the doors were open.' 

Mr James said he and Chaim pulled Mr Dunner free from the wreckage. He added: 'The son started to hug and kiss his dad. The dad showed no signs of life and was floppy. When I saw him I thought he was dead.'

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Payne said the cocaine had been a factor in the crash.