Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram

Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram

A lorry driver received a 13-month prison sentence after a crane’s loose equipment struck a woman on the head while she was pushing a pram through a village. The incident occurred on 22 September 2022, when NHS healthcare assistant Rebecca Ableman, 30, was walking with her two-year-old daughter Autumn on a pavement near the B1050 in Willingham, Cambridgeshire.

Kevin Miller, 71, of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, admitted causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving. During the sentencing hearing at Peterborough Crown Court, Judge Matthew Lowe remarked:

“Securing the crane unit would have been the work of moments.”

The judge was informed that Ableman left a farm shop on Station Road before the collision at around 11:15 BST. She suffered catastrophic brain injuries and passed away three weeks later.

Miller initially faced trial in April 2025, where he denied causing death by dangerous driving. However, the trial was paused as legal representatives requested more time. In February of this year, Miller admitted the charge during a second trial, which had been set to begin the day after the incident.

Ableman’s father, Russell, told the court in a statement that her last action was to shield Autumn from harm. He described her as a “hero” for her efforts. Her mother, Susann, added:

“I will be eternally grateful that Autumn was unharmed.”

Chris Tuczemskyi, Ableman’s partner and Autumn’s father, stated:

“Becky died because basic safety measures were not taken.”

He urged the judge to send a “clear message” that safety must always be prioritized.

Prosecutors claimed Miller had been transporting scrap metal from King’s Lynn to Essex and Cambridgeshire. While passing through Willingham, the crane’s unsecured grabber moved and hung over the trailer. The judge noted that Miller became aware of the movement after leaving the village and repositioned it hydraulically. He claimed ignorance of the incident until questioned by police, saying:

“What’s happened mate? I ain’t hit no-one.”

Prosecuting barrister William Carter emphasized Miller’s failure to secure the crane boom properly. He argued that strapping the boom down separately was an elementary precaution overlooked. Carter also highlighted that the lorry was “poorly” maintained. In defense, John Dye noted that Miller had operated the crane without a strap for 40 years and called the event an “unfathomable” tragedy. He mentioned Miller’s lack of prior driving convictions.

The judge concluded that Miller’s negligence in securing the grabber crane led to Ableman’s death. He stated:

“The defendant assumed hydraulics would prevent movement of the grabber assembly.”

The ruling underscored a “generally slipshod approach” to maintenance. Miller has been banned from driving for two years upon his release from prison.

Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X.