Girl, six, raises ?1k for road safety cause after dad’s lorry crash death
A young girl whose father was crushed to death by a lorry in a crash has raised more than GBP1,000 for a road safety charity. Darcie Millward-Diamond’s world was turned upside down after her dad, Andy Millward, was killed when a Renault lorry tipped over[1] and collided with his black Vauxhall in Strood[2] in November 2022.
Katrina Diamond with her daughter Darcie Millward-Diamond, 6, during their Bake for Brake. Picture: Katrina Diamond
The youngster was only four-years-old at the time and was left devastated. Her mum, Katrina Diamond, explained seeing her friends grow up with their fathers around has taken its toll.
“Having to tell my baby and her older siblings they will never see their dad, step-dad and foster dad ever again was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a parent,” she said. “But the knock on effects have been the hardest part. Darcie’s dad was her superhero and she couldn’t understand why someone would hurt her hero.”
Katrina said her “amazing, kind and loving” daughter chose to raise money for Brake as it was a big help for them at the start of their life after losing Andy. Darcie, now six, is a Wainscott Primary School pupil and was supported by the school following her dad’s death and decided to hold the “Bake for Brake” sale at the school.
Groundsworker Andy Millward with his daughter Darcie in Crete. Picture: Katrina Diamond
Dad-of-three Andy Millward died after a horror lorry crash in Station Road, Strood. Picture: Facebook
Katrina added: “Brake was the first help we received after losing Andrew and it was able to support us with some counselling, provide resources like books. “The charity helps explain things and how to answer questions that Darcie and her siblings had.
Darcie doesn’t want any family to go through what she has had too.”
Along side Darcie’s bake sale she also held raffle and has a fundraising[3] page which all goes straight to Brake – so far, she has raised GBP1,040. An inquest after the father-of-three’s death heard how passers-by rushed to the scene and attempted to clear rubble[4] which had tipped out. A huge emergency presence including police, paramedics and the fire service meant the road was shut in both directions for hours.
Floral tributes were left at the site back in 2022. Picture: Sean McPolin
An inquest at The Archbishop’s Palace, in Maidstone[5], heard how Mr Millward, a groundsworker from Wainscott, was the driver of a car when a “large tipper lorry travelling on the opposite carriageway tipped over and trapped him, completely crushing him in situ”.
Mr Millward was declared dead at the scene and identified by police from his driver’s licence.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Police have confirmed he has since been released while the investigation continues.
References
- ^ Renault lorry tipped over (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ Strood (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ fundraising (www.justgiving.com)
- ^ attempted to clear rubble (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ Maidstone (www.kentonline.co.uk)