Driver jailed after his crane hit mum pushing pram
Driver Jailed for 13 Months After Crane Equipment Struck Mother Pushing Pram
A 71-year-old lorry driver from Norfolk was sentenced to 13 months in prison after a crane’s unsecured equipment struck Rebecca Ableman, a 30-year-old NHS healthcare assistant, while she was pushing a pram through a village. The accident occurred on September 22, 2022, near the B1050 in Willingham, Cambridgeshire.
Ableman, who lived in a village close to St Ives, was walking with her two-year-old daughter Autumn on a pavement when she was hit from behind. She suffered catastrophic brain injuries and passed away three weeks later. The court heard that she had exited a farm shop on Station Road before the incident.
“Securing the crane unit would have been the work of moments,” stated Judge Matthew Lowe during the sentencing hearing at Peterborough Crown Court.
Kevin Miller, of Gayton Road, had initially denied causing death by dangerous driving, leading to a trial in April 2025. However, the proceedings were paused as his legal team requested more time. In February of the same year, Miller admitted to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving, acknowledging his role in the accident.
Miller claimed he was unaware of the incident until questioned by police. “What’s happened mate? I ain’t hit no-one,” he said, adding that he would have stopped immediately had he known. Prosecutors argued that the crane’s boom had “slewed” to the nearside while he navigated Willingham, where heavy traffic on main roads forced him to use the B1050.
During the trial, defense barrister John Dye described the event as an “unfathomable” tragedy, emphasizing Miller’s reputation as a “hard-working, decent man” with no prior driving convictions. He noted that Miller had secured cranes without straps for 40 years, suggesting his approach was routine.
“This defendant’s criminal failure to adequately secure the grabber crane on his trailer is the cause of Rebecca’s death,” concluded the judge, highlighting the lack of basic safety measures.
Miller’s lorry was also cited as “poorly” maintained, according to prosecutors. The judge remarked that the industry guidance had been “firmed up,” underscoring the need for improved safety protocols. As part of his sentence, Miller has been disqualified from driving for two years upon release.
Rebecca’s father, Russell, shared in a statement that his daughter’s “final act” was to push Autumn away from harm. Susann, her mother, expressed gratitude that Autumn remained unharmed. Chris Tuczemskyi, Ableman’s partner and Autumn’s father, called for a “clear message” that safety must always be prioritized.
Background on the Incident
Miller had transported scrap metal from King’s Lynn to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex and later to March in Cambridgeshire. While passing through Willingham, the crane’s boom shifted, hanging over the trailer. He became aware of the movement after leaving the village and hydraulically repositioned the equipment.
Prosecutors highlighted that the boom’s failure to secure properly constituted carelessness, as industry standards required separate strapping. Dye countered by framing the incident as a “freak accident” that impacted Miller deeply, despite his long-standing safety practices.
Industry Guidance and Safety Measures
The judge noted that Miller had assumed hydraulics would prevent the grabber from shifting, but this oversight led to the fatal collision. He criticized the defendant’s “slipshod approach to maintenance,” stressing the importance of adhering to safety protocols. The case has prompted discussions about the need for stricter compliance with crane securing procedures.
Do you have a story suggestion for Cambridgeshire? Contact us below. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X.
