PIOG:Family Heartbroken Over Daughter's Snow Death

[joci2203]

ASHLAND, Ohio - ASHLAND, Ohio - An 8-year-old girl died Sunday while playing in a snow bank outside her home, leading police to remind parents that a child should never play alone.

Ashland Police say Emily Kramer was digging a hole in the snow bank and fell in head first. Police say the snow fell around her creating a seal. Emily couldn't get out and suffocated.

Emily's father says the girl asked to go outside to play. he was inside caring for his 1-year-old son, but says he continued to look out the front window to the snow pile where Emily was playing.

"Every so often I'd been looking out the window to check on her, I just seen the boot was off, her sock was halfway off and her feet were up in the air in the hole," Emily's father Keith Kramer said.

Paramedics could not revive Emily.

Her mother, who was at work at the time of the accident, says she is devastated. She says the third grader loved playing soccer, and she always enjoyed the outdoors.

"I can't imagine my life without her, I'm thankful that I had her for as long as I did. I'm selfish and want her for a lot more," Lisa Kramer said.

Ashland Police say Emily's death was an accident, but they remind parents that children shouldn't play alone. In a case like this, if Emily had been playing with another child she might have survived.

Lisa Kramer says that is advice she will give to every parent she knows.

"Don't let them play out there by themselves no matter what, even if it means breaking their heart and saying no because you have another child that's not able to go out at that time," Kramer said.

Funeral arrangements are underway.

[luvmyboysjj]

That is so sad!

[etexmom]

Terribly sad!  I can't even imagine the grief!

[joci2203]

It's hard to believe.  It is upsetting because it seems so preventable.

[girlsclubmom]

poor little girl - and the parents -such grief and regret.

[nursetina]

How devastating. :(

[peacefulkids]

That is so sad. 

[sneffy014]

Quoting joci2203:

It's hard to believe.  It is upsetting because it seems so preventable.

I agree. What a horrible tragedy. The father will have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life.

[Almitra29]

What a tragedy so very sad. As a side note. I saw a story once similar, but with a child who was digging in tunnel in the sand. He was out of sight of his parents, but he was with another child who alerted them. He was rescued, but sand being so heavy it nearly crushed him.