Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram

Driver Jailed After Crane Equipment Strikes Mother Pushing Pram

A 71-year-old lorry driver, Kevin Miller from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison following an incident where a woman was struck on the head by loose crane equipment while pushing a pram in a village. The accident occurred on 22 September 2022, on a pavement near the B1050 in Willingham, Cambridgeshire.

NHS healthcare assistant Rebecca Ableman, 30, was walking with her two-year-old daughter, Autumn, when the crane’s unsecured grabber collided with her. The judge at Peterborough Crown Court noted that securing the crane unit was a matter of moments. Ableman, who resided in the village near St Ives, left a farm shop on Station Road before the collision at around 11:15 BST. She suffered severe brain injuries and passed away three weeks later.

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

Miller’s trial, which began in April 2025, was paused when his legal team requested more time. He later admitted causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving in February of the same year, just before the second jury was set to hear evidence. The prosecution argued that Miller’s failure to secure the crane boom properly contributed to the tragedy.

Rebecca Ableman’s father, Russell, shared in a statement that her final act was to push Autumn away. He called her a “hero” for her actions in the moments before her death. Her mother, Susann, added: “I will be eternally grateful that Autumn was unharmed.” Miller’s partner, Chris Tuczemskyi, emphasized: “Becky died because basic safety measures were not taken.” He urged the judge to deliver a “clear message” that safety must always take precedence.

Prosecutors stated that Miller had been transporting scrap metal and began his journey in King’s Lynn. As he drove through Willingham, the crane’s boom shifted unexpectedly, hanging over the trailer. After leaving the village, Miller realized the grabber had moved 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,” and asserting he would have stopped had he known.

“This defendant’s criminal failure to adequately secure the grabber crane on his trailer is the cause of Rebecca’s death.”

Miller’s defense barrister, John Dye, described the event as an “unfathomable” tragedy. He portrayed Miller as a “hard-working, decent man” who had operated the crane without a strap for 40 years. Dye highlighted the defendant’s lack of prior driving convictions. The judge also pointed out that the crane’s boom was not properly maintained, adding that industry guidelines had been reinforced since the incident.

As part of his sentence, Miller has been banned from driving for two years after his release. The court’s ruling underscores the importance of adhering to safety protocols during transport. For more stories on Cambridgeshire, contact the BBC or follow their news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X.