A HORRIFIC quad bike crash five years ago contributed to the death of a former gym owner, it was ruled.

Asaf Hussain was left quadriplegic and only able to communicate by blinking after a smash that killed his cousin.

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The bike had careered off Clement Street and hit a pushchair before smashing into a lamppost and wall in July 2010.

Mr Hussain spent the rest of his life in need of professional care.

He died at Royal Blackburn Hospital on May 31 from complications surrounding a hernia.

He was 41.

Coroner Michael Singleton heard evidence from Mr Hussain’s brother Tamir, rehab consultant Dr Aryaratnam, and pathologist Mr Mohammed Aslam, before recording a verdict of accidental death.

Tamir told Blackburn Coroner’s Court his family felt more could have been done to prevent his brother’s death.

But Dr Aryaratnam told how all possible treatment options had been discussed with the family.

Mr Hussain, of Wellington Street in Accrington, was fitted with a tube running from his brain to his stomach following the crash, which enabled fluid to drain without risk of infection.

An operation was then carried out on his stomach, which left it vulnerable to hernias, the court heard.

One the size of a 50p coin was spotted in February last year but was treated “conservatively” by pushing it back in.

But it grew and began to cut off the blood supply to Mr Hussain’s bowel, causing it to leak and cause an infection, which the court heard was easier because of his lack of mobility.

By the time doctors realised how serious the injury had become, doctors ruled out surgery and began palliative care, saying Mr Hussain was highly unlikely to survive surgery.

Tamir said: “There were alarm bells after alarm bells. It appears to me they saw him in a vegetative state and asked if it was worth treating him in that situation.”

After retiring to consider his verdict, Mr Singleton said: “If the judgement had been to carry out surgery, the probability would be that Mr Hussain would still be alive today.

“To make judgements, you act on the information you have. We don’t have the benefit of hindsight.”