A CORONER warned quad bikers today to wear helmets after a multi-millionaire farmer died in a crash.

Retired insurance broker John Mackenzie-Green, 52, was treated at Southampton General Hospital following the accident in August last year.

Mr Mackenzie-Green was transporting 10ft posts on his quad bike at a farm near Beaminster, Dorset.

The posts slid forwards and jammed the accelerator and steering of the 650cc Kawasaki.

The married father of three was trapped on the quad bike as it hurtled at around 55mph across his farmyard into a stone-built feed store.

The former vice-chairman of an international insurance brokers was taken to hospital with severe head injuries after his farm workers found him in a pool of blood.

He was transferred to a specialist unit at Southampton General Hospital, but was returned to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester after doctors decided he was unlikely to recover.

His family agreed for his life support machine to be turned off on September 11 last year, two weeks after the crash.

West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston said today: "He was stuck on an out of control quad bike, hurtling towards a building. He wasn't wearing a helmet. He should have been wearing a helmet.'' He added: "It is illegal to use a quad bike for work without wearing a helmet."

David Bell, an Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigator, told the inquest yesterday at West Dorset Coroner's Court, in Dorchester, that quad bikes should be well maintained, riders should have training and should wear safety equipment, including helmets.

The keen yachtsman was enjoying retirement with his 53-year-old wife Tessa and their children at the time.

"It is very, very likely that he wouldn't have suffered the very severe head injuries that he did if he had been wearing a helmet," added Mr Johnston.

"The HSE are trying to get through to people the dangers by educating people."

The jury of nine women returned a verdict of accidental death.