Tributes as crash teen is laid to rest
Devastated family’s final farewell to tragic victim
A TEENAGER killed in a car crash “will be sorely missed”, mourners at his funeral heard yesterday.
Christopher Hillis (18), from Rathfriland in Co Down, died in the accident in the early hours of Saturday.
He had been travelling with friends in a Vauxhall Corsa when it crashed on the Banbridge Road, between Dromara and Kinallen.
Mr Hillis, who was a back seat passenger, died at the scene while another passenger is still in a serious condition at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
The teenager is survived by his parents Andrew and Judith, sisters Aimee and Alyx and grand- parents Roy Hillis and Eric and Lottie Harbinson, who have all been left distraught over the tragedy.
Scores of family and friends attended Mr Hillis’s funeral at Third Rathfriland Presbyterian Church yesterday where his passion for sport, cars and farming was remembered.
Rev Seamus Burke said: “Some people get to live until they’re old on this earth — that wasn’t to be for this young man. Christopher was the beloved son of Andrew and Judith.
“He has left behind two sisters Aimee and Alyx and a wider family that loved him very much. This day is difficult for them all.
“Chris was a pupil of Iveagh Primary School, and after Iveagh, Rathfriland High School.
“He was bright at school — his teachers saw potential. But Chris was more interested in sport, then cars, later farming. Chris hadfarmingintheDNA.
“His dad and granddad were farmers and he spent a lot of time there.
“And so when he left school and got a job on a local farm — this was where he was really happy.”
The keen sportsman played hockey, rugby and football in the Carnbane league for Rathfriland and Moneyslane.
Mr Hillis’s other passion was for engines, repairing and modifying cars.
“He loved driving, and even tinkering with machinery, taking things apart, putting them back together again,” added Rev Burke.
“Like any 18-year-old, friends were very important and Christopher had lots of them.
“Itwaswithhisfriendshewas to spend his last hours.
“Family was important too. Christopher’s mother and father, sisters and grandparents will sorely miss their beloved Christopher.”
Following the service, Mr Hillis was buried in the churchyard beside Third Rathfriland Presbyterian Church.