TOWN OF LEWISTON, NY (WKBW) – December 10, 2004. This is the day that Alexis Kraft 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 eldest of four children.
“She was definitely a mommy bear. “She was able to get them in line very quickly, but she was loving and they all loved her,” Kraft said.
“Everyone loved her,” Hill said.
Alexis Kraft
Her parents say Renee loved lacrosse. Her coach, Joe Kiszka, said she was quiet but intimidating and a strong leader. He said Renee was feared on the field, but off the field she was an absolute darling.
‘We would love to go look at her lacrosse because she was really wonderful. “All the parents and all the other girls in the team call her the animal, because once she gets on the field, she will just go hard,” said Kraft.
Alexis Kraft
But Renee’s life ended tragically on Saturday morning when she went sledding with her cousins in Clyde L. Burmaster Park in downtown Lewiston.
She went down the hill. She had my 3-year-old nephew with her. She sees the tree coming. Her first instinct was to put her foot down and turn the sled around so my nephew would not get hurt. She hits the tree. Her heart stopped on the way to the hospital, “said Kraft.
According to her parents, Renee died when she rescued her 3-year-old cousin.
“Everyone calls her a hero. But it was my baby, ‘said Kraft.
Alexis Kraft
Renee’s parents thank the community for their support during such a difficult time.
“Do not take one minute with your babies for granted. Tell them you love them. Every minute. Every chance you get,” Kraft said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family.