Northport Fourth Grader Dies After Swimming Accident

NORTHPORT, AL — A Northport fourth grader has died following a swimming accident last week at a private residence in northern Tuscaloosa County.

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Sources confirm that R.J. Paulk Jr., a fourth grader at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary, was hospitalized in intensive care following an accident that occurred during a swimming party with his baseball team on Tom Montgomery Road Thursday.

R.J., the son of Randall and Nicole Paulk, was remembered as a skilled athlete who played basketball for the Northport Wildcats and most recently played for Warrior Baseball.

He was a member of the A's coached by Jared Case at Kentuck Park.

A visible police presence and numerous children could be seen outside the residence Thursday evening on Tom Montgomery Road, just off of Rose Boulevard in Northport.

Patch confirmed last week that the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office initially responded to the call before the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit was called to take over the investigation.

However, no word was given in the immediate aftermath as R.J. fought for his life in ICU.

A GoFundMe drive was launched by Sarah Wright this week to help the Paulk family cover medical bills and over 200 donors had contributed $13,750 toward its $15,000 goal as of the publication of this story.

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