Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram

Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram

A 71-year-old lorry driver, Kevin Miller from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, received a 13-month prison sentence following a tragic incident in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, where a woman was struck by loose crane equipment while pushing a pram. The accident occurred on 22 September 2022, when Rebecca Ableman, a 30-year-old NHS healthcare assistant, was walking with her two-year-old daughter Autumn on a pavement adjacent to the B1050 road.

Miller initially contested the charge of causing death by dangerous driving, leading to a trial in April 2025. However, the proceedings were paused as legal teams requested more time. He later admitted guilt in February of this year, just days before a second trial was set to begin. According to the court, the crane’s unsecured grabber moved during transit, swinging out over the side of his trailer as he passed through the village.

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

Ableman, who resided in a village near St Ives, was struck after leaving a farm shop on Station Road. The incident happened around 11:15 BST, and she suffered severe brain injuries that ultimately led to her death three weeks later. Her father, Russell, shared in a statement that her last action was to shield Autumn from harm.

Miller’s legal team argued that the accident was an unforeseen tragedy, highlighting his 40-year record of securing cranes without straps. They noted his devastation over the impact on the Ableman family and emphasized he had no prior driving convictions. In contrast, prosecutors pointed to his failure to properly secure the crane boom, which had shifted during transit, causing the accident.

“The defendant’s neglect in securing the grabber crane on his trailer directly resulted in Rebecca’s death,” the judge concluded. He added that the crane’s boom had been inadequately fastened, and the lorry’s maintenance was subpar. Miller had assumed the hydraulics would prevent movement, but the judge noted a general lack of attention to safety protocols.

Ableman’s mother, Susann, expressed gratitude that her daughter Autumn remained unharmed. Her partner, Chris Tuczemskyi, who is also Autumn’s father, called for a “clear message” that safety should always be prioritized. Miller’s driving license was revoked for two years as part of his sentence.