Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram
Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram
Kevin Miller, a 71-year-old lorry driver from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, received a 13-month prison sentence after a tragic incident involving his crane equipment. The accident occurred on September 22, 2022, when Rebecca Ableman, a 30-year-old NHS healthcare assistant, was struck on the head by loose crane parts while pushing her two-year-old daughter Autumn on a village pavement near the B1050 in Willingham, Cambridgeshire.
Ableman had exited a farm shop on Station Road before the collision, which took place around 11:15 BST. The crash resulted in catastrophic brain injuries, leading to her death three weeks later. Miller, who had previously denied causing death by dangerous driving, eventually admitted to the charge in February 2025, just as a second trial was set to begin.
Family’s Response
Russell Ableman, Rebecca’s father, told the court that his daughter’s final act was to shield his granddaughter from harm. He described her as a ‘hero’ who died while protecting Autumn.
Susann Ableman, Rebecca’s mother, expressed relief that Autumn remained unharmed, stating, ‘I will be eternally grateful that Autumn was unharmed.’
Chris Tuczemskyi, Rebecca’s partner and Autumn’s father, emphasized the importance of basic safety measures, saying, ‘Becky died because basic safety measures were not taken.’ He urged the judge to convey that ‘safety must always come first.’
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors highlighted Miller’s failure to secure the crane boom adequately. They noted that during his journey from King’s Lynn to Willingham, the crane’s unsecured grabber moved unexpectedly, hanging over the trailer. After leaving the village, Miller realized the equipment had shifted and hydraulically repositioned it. However, he admitted not knowing about the incident until police questioned him.
Prosecuting barrister William Carter stated, ‘It was his failure to adequately secure the boom of his crane which amounted to carelessness.’ He added that Miller had neglected an ‘elementary precaution’ of strapping the boom down separately and that his lorry was ‘poorly’ maintained.
Defense’s Argument
Miller’s defense barrister, John Dye, framed the event as an ‘unfathomable’ tragedy. He described Miller as a ‘hard-working, decent man’ who had operated the crane without a strap for four decades and was ‘devastated by the damage he has caused to the Ableman family.’
Dye noted Miller had no prior driving convictions, suggesting the accident was a ‘freak incident’ that took a toll on the defendant’s mental and physical state.
Judge’s Verdict
During sentencing at Peterborough Crown Court, Judge Matthew Lowe stated, ‘Securing the crane unit would have been the work of moments.’ He criticized Miller’s ‘slipshod approach to maintenance’ and confirmed the crane’s boom was the direct cause of Ableman’s death. Miller had assumed hydraulics would prevent movement of the grabber assembly, according to the judge.
As part of the sentence, Miller was disqualified from driving for two years following his release. The case underscores the need for stringent safety protocols in heavy machinery operations.
