Below Deck cast member tragically in coma after suffering two life threatening strokes
He's been in the coma for over 17 days
A Below Deck cast member has tragically been in a coma for 17 days after suffering from two life-threatening strokes in the brain.
Brent Freeburg, the cameraman for Below Deck, appeared on the other side of the camera when he saved the life of Ashton Pienaar in 2018.
During the dramatic moment in 2018, Below Deck star Ashton got entangled by a tow line wrapped around his ankle and was dragged into the water. Luckily, before Ashton suffered more severe injuries, Brent jumped into the water to release the tow line and saved his life.
However, at the start of February 2025, Brent tragically suffered from a subdural hematoma and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and subsequently put into a coma at the end of February.
A GoFundMe page was created for the Below Deck cast member in order to help cover his medical care and transfer him to a hospital closer to them whilst he’s still in his coma.
His mother, Cheri, explained: “My son Brent was admitted to the hospital last night and had emergency surgery because he has a subdural hematoma.
“The operation went OK. He is in a coma right now and has a breathing tube. I don’t know the backstory, but I’m praying for healing and a complete recovery.”
The last update given on his condition was on the 24th and 25th of February, when the feeding peg was removed from his nose and stomach, alongside his stitches. The next step is for him to be moved into a rehab centre to try and recover from the coma.
Below Deck cast member Ashton wrote a thoughtful message towards Brent and hoped he would make a “full recovery” from his coma.
He wrote: “Some people leave an impact on your life that you can never repay. Brent is one of those people for me. I just heard that he’s suffered a stroke, and it’s a tough thing to process when someone who’s given you so much is now facing their own battle.
“If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts. Wishing him strength, healing, and a full recovery.”
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