By GINNY COOPER / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO—A candlelight vigil will be held July 18 in honor of Brayden Ethan “Sumo” Hudson, a five-year-old Montevallo boy who died July 13.

Hudson was attending a birthday party at Brierfield Ironworks Park on July 11 when he jumped or fell in the pool, Bibb County Coroner Downey McGee explained. Hudson was pulled from the pool and the lifeguards attempted to resuscitate him. Hudson was then taken to Bibb Medical Center and subsequently flown to Children’s of Alabama where he was pronounced dead on July 13.

The incident was “so clearly an accident,” McGee said.

More than 200 people have responded to the Facebook page created for the event, “Candle Light Vigil for Sumo Hudson,” with plans to attend.

Willie Bell, president of the Montevallo Youth Athletic Association and one of the organizers of the vigil, got to know Hudson through baseball.

Hudson, who played on the six-year-old all-star team, had a “lot of talent” for the game, Bell said.

“We was a good kid, just smiling all the time,” Hudson said. “It’s a big loss for our community and for his parents.”

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at Stephens Baseball Park in Montevallo. A guest pastor will say a few words and pray, and candles will be lit in Hudson’s honor at dark. A table will be set up for donations for the family.