NewsLocal News

Actions

Parents of 16-year-old killed in sledding accident say she died saving her 3-year-old cousin

Renee Hill was a sophomore at Niagara Wheatfield
ReneeHill.png
Posted at 5:26 PM, Feb 07, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-08 10:00:44-05

TOWN OF LEWISTON, N.Y. (WKBW) — December 10, 2004. That’s the day Alexis Kraft’s and Richard Hill’s lives changed forever.

“She was our whole world,” Kraft said.

Renee Hill was a 16-year-old sophomore at Niagara Wheatfield High School. She was the oldest of four children.

“She was a mama bear for sure. She could get them in line really quick but she was loving and they all loved her,” Kraft said.

“Everyone loved her,” Hill said.

IMG_1472.JPG
Renee Hill was a sophomore at Niagara Wheatfield High School.

Her parents say Renee loved lacrosse. Her coach, Joe Kiszka, said she was quiet but intimidating and a strong silent leader. He said on the field Renee was feared, but off the field she was an absolute sweetheart.

“We would love to go watch her play lacrosse because she really was amazing. All the parents and all the other girls on the team would call her the beast because once she got on the field, she would just go hard,” Kraft said.

IMG_1475.JPG
Renee Hill turned 16 on December 10, 2020.

But Renee’s life came to a sudden tragic end Saturday morning when she went sledding with her cousins at Clyde L. Burmaster Park in the Town of Lewiston.

“She had went down the hill. She had my 3-year-old nephew on with her. She saw the tree coming. Her first instinct was to put her foot down and flip the sled so my nephew wouldn't get hurt. She hit the tree. Her heart stopped on the way to the hospital,” Kraft said.

Her parents said Renee died saving her 3-year-old cousin.

"Everyone's calling her a hero. But that was my baby," Kraft said.

IMG_1476.JPG
Her parents say Renee loved to play lacrosse.

Renee's parents thank the community for their support during such a difficult time.

"Don't take one minute for granted with your babies. Tell them you love them. Every minute. Every chance you get," Kraft said.

There is a GoFundMe set up to help the family.