A PROMINENT member of Britain's Jewish community was killed in a two-car smash on the Spur Road at the weekend.

Wealthy philanthropist Rabbi Benzion Dunner died instantly when his £175,000 Bentley Arnage was in collision with a Toyota Celica on the south-bound carriageway, around one-and-a-half miles from the Ashley Heath roundabout.

News of the 45-year-old's tragic death was immediately posted on Jewish websites and, in accordance with the religion, his funeral was held within 24 hours.

Rabbi Dunner, from Golders Green in London, is believed to have been on his way to an event at Bournemouth's kosher hotel, the Normandie, when the accident happened at 9.45pm on Saturday. Members of his family were in the car with him but are not believed to be seriously hurt.

The district coroner was informed and an inquest into his death was opened and adjourned in Bournemouth at noon on Sunday to allow the funeral to go ahead in London on the same day.

It heard that Rabbi Dunner, of West Heath Avenue, London, died of multiple injuries. The inquest was adjourned until a date to be fixed.

Website Vos Iz Neias (Yiddish: What's News) immediately released details of the accident and showed photographs of the funeral service.

Rabbi Dunner is thought to have been well-known in Bournemouth, which has a large Jewish community.