ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Preliminary autopsy reports from the Baldwin County Coroner’s Office state a preexisting medical condition was the cause of William Ross Cote’s death on Wednesday , May 25, at St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Robertsdale. The 11 year old fifth grader unexpectedly died after collapsing on the playground and not being able to breathe.

“He was playing on an inflatable water slide when the incident occurred but no evidence of trauma to the head was found. There seemed to be an existing condition that caused the death. It would have happened whether he was on the playground or not,” said Robertsdale Police Investigator Rex Bishop.

Cote was transported to South Baldwin Hospital in Foley and was pronounced dead there. Officials from St. Patrick’s could not be reached for comment but issued a statement confirming the death at the school.

A resident of Daphne, Cote was one of the youngest altar boys since age four and played trumpet, loved to fish, was learning karate and aspired to play the bass guitar. He also played on the school basketball team and recently won first place at the Science Fair.

Cote is survived by his parents, Douglas and Kelly Cote, and brother, Benjamin and sister, Ashley. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 28 at St. Patrick’s with Father William James officiating and graveside services were at Crest Lawn Cemetery in Ocean Springs, Ms.

Funeral arrangements were made by Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale and in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic School or church, P.O. Box 1367, Robertsdale, Al 36567 or Catholic Social Services, P.O. Box 870, Robertsdale, Al 36567.

Because of the incident, Baldwin County Public Schools decided not to use inflatables for any end of the year celebrations for the sake of the safety of the students.