Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram

Driver Jailed for 13 Months After Crane Equipment Strikes Mother Pushing Pram

Kevin Miller, a 71-year-old lorry driver from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison after a crane’s unsecured equipment struck a woman while she was pushing a pram through a village. The incident occurred on September 22, 2022, along the B1050 in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, when Rebecca Ableman, a 30-year-old NHS healthcare assistant, was hit on the head by a loose crane part while walking with her two-year-old daughter, Autumn, on a pavement.

Incident and Aftermath

Ableman, who resided near St Ives, was exiting a farm shop on Station Road when the accident took place around 11:15 BST. She suffered severe brain injuries and passed away three weeks later. The court heard that Miller had left the village after the incident and only realized the equipment had shifted once questioned by police.

“Securing the crane unit would have been the work of moments,” stated Judge Matthew Lowe during the sentencing hearing at Peterborough Crown Court.

Legal Proceedings

Miller initially faced a trial in April 2025, where he denied causing death by dangerous driving. However, the trial was paused as legal teams requested more time. In February of this year, he admitted to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, admitting responsibility just days before the second trial jury was set to begin.

Prosecutors argued that Miller had been transporting scrap metal and used the B1050 due to heavy traffic on larger roads. The crane boom, which was not properly secured, “slewed” to the nearside as he drove through Willingham. The judge noted that the failure to secure the boom was a key factor in the accident.

“He had not taken… an elementary precaution of strapping the crane boom down separately,” said prosecuting barrister William Carter. “The overall impression I get is of a generally slipshod approach to maintenance.”

Family Statements and Defense Arguments

Ableman’s father, Russell, described her final act as pushing Autumn away from the impact. He called her a “hero” for her sacrifice. Her mother, Susann, expressed gratitude that Autumn remained unharmed. Miller’s partner, Chris Tuczemskyi, emphasized that basic safety measures were overlooked, urging the judge to send a “clear message” that safety must always be prioritized.

“This defendant’s criminal failure to adequately secure the grabber crane on his trailer is the cause of Rebecca’s death,” concluded the judge. “He assumed hydraulics would prevent movement of the grabber assembly.”

The defense, represented by John Dye, framed the event as an “unfathomable” tragedy. Dye highlighted Miller’s 40-year record of securing cranes without straps and noted he had no prior driving convictions. Despite his devastation, the defendant maintained he would have stopped had he known the incident was imminent.

As part of the sentence, Miller has been disqualified from driving for two years upon his release. The case underscores the importance of adhering to industry safety guidelines, which were described as “firmed up” during the trial.

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