$10 million in compensation after a road smash that left him with paralysis in all four limbs.

Mr. Mark Coller, 30, gave evidence in Supreme Court from his wheelchair yesterday in the climax to an 11-year legal battle.

The defendant in the case is Knapton Hill building contractor Mr. Aubrey Hollis, driver of a car which was in a crash with Mr. Coller's rental bike in 1982.

Mr. Coller, then an 18-year-old student near the end of a holiday, suffered a broken neck in the accident near Harrington Hundreds store on South Road.

After the crash he spent time in traction, during which Bermudians showered him with gifts and offers of transport and accommodation.

He now has some use in his arms, and is able to drive a special van to his work as a federal attorney in Washington DC. But he is a quadraplegic who needs special sanitary supplies.

Yesterday he was grilled by top English barrister Mr. Piers Ashworth QC, over medical costs he is claiming.

Mr. Ashworth and Mr. Jeffrey Elkinson represent Mr. Hollis, and Mr. Coller is represented by Ms Clare Hatcher.

Mr. Coller's helper, 25-year-old Mr. David Knight, told the court he shares the attorney's Maryland apartment, spending about four hours a day cooking, cleaning, shopping and helping him get around.

If Mr. Coller got ill he was needed around the clock, he said.

He told how he had come to Bermuda with Mr. Coller for the case, carrying him down the steps of the plane they arrived on.

They were staying at Robin's Nest guest apartments in Pembroke, he said, because a fully wheelchair-accessible hotel would have been too expensive.

Going to dinner at MR Onions in Hamilton had meant pulling Mr. Coller up 30 steps, he said.

Mr. Ashworth suggested plenty of city restaurants were wheelchair accessible.

"None that we've been to,'' Mr. Knight replied. "The only one we've been to that is wheelchair accessible is Portofino's, and that has two steps I have to get him up.'' Restaurants were not such a big problem in the US, he said, thanks to laws passed by Congress.

Mr. Hollis is disputing the compensation amount. The case is expected to last well into next week.

HELPING HAND -- US attorney Mr. Mark Coller arrives at court helped by Mr.

David Knight.