A mother was hailed as a hero for sacrificing her life to save her daughter by swiftly moving her pram out of harm’s way before being fatally struck by a crane attached to a passing lorry. The incident occurred in Willingham, Cambridgeshire in 2022. The lorry driver, Kevin Miller, admitted to causing death by careless driving and has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.
During the court proceedings at Peterborough Crown Court, it was revealed that the 71-year-old driver’s loader crane malfunctioned, causing it to strike the victim from behind, resulting in fatal head and brain injuries. The prosecution argued that Miller’s failure to properly secure the crane’s boom constituted negligence in this tragic event.
On the day of the accident, Miller had started his journey from King’s Lynn, transporting scrap metal from a Network Rail yard before passing through the village where the collision occurred. Despite driving at or around the speed limit, Miller remained oblivious to the incident, only realizing the crane’s misalignment after stopping further down the road.
Following the accident, Miller was found to have neglected basic safety precautions by not securely fastening the crane boom. This oversight led to the crane’s movement, ultimately causing the collision that claimed the life of Rebecca Ableman. The judge emphasized that a simple action of securing the crane could have prevented the tragedy.
In his defense, Miller expressed remorse for the harm caused, attributing the incident to being a “freak accident” after decades of experience. However, the court highlighted the grave consequences of his negligence, underscoring the impact on the victim’s family. Rebecca’s family described her as a devoted NHS healthcare assistant who selflessly protected her daughter in her final moments, leaving a lasting legacy of love and sacrifice.