Brent Freeburg, whose quick-thinking saved deckhand Ashton Pienaar’s life on Below Deck Season 6, has suffered a health setback.
Brent Freeburg, who notably saved Ashton Pienaar’s life while working as a cameraman on Below Deck Season 6, is currently in a coma.
According to a GoFundMe page posted by his family, Brent suffered “two strokes and a subdural hematoma” in Los Angeles.
What happened to Ashton Pienaar on Below Deck?
As viewers saw on Below Deck Season 6, which aired in 2018, a tow line got wrapped around Ashton’s ankle and dragged him into the water.
Before Ashton’s foot could be cut off by the tightening line, Brent jumped into action and released the tow line from the yacht. In doing so, he dropped his camera and broke the fourth wall, but he also saved Ashton’s life.
The emotional moment rocked Ashton, Captain Lee Rosbach, and the other crew members. Ashton and Brent reunited on the Season 6 reunion, and the cameraman was more than humble about his lifesaving contribution.
“Well, I would say that it wasn’t just me,” Brent said in front of the crew and reunion host Andy Cohen. “I’ve been getting a lot of attention, for sure. But it was Rhylee [Gerber] who made the first call to [Captain Lee Rosbach], Captain took the boat out of gear, Ross [Inia] who helped untie the lines. And so it was really collectively all of us that came together.”
Ashton Pienaar reacts to Brent Freeburg’s health news
After Brent’s health news became public, Ashton took to his Instagram feed to pay tribute to his “real life hero.”
“It’s hard when someone’s done so much for you, but you’re just helpless and can’t really do anything in return,” he said in a video. “So, all I can ask is that you as my community just keep him in your thoughts and your prayers, because without his quick thinking and selflessness in that moment, I wouldn’t have been here in front of you guys today. So, I’ll never take that for granted. And Brent, I’m thinking of you and wishing you all the best and a full recovery. Stay strong, buddy.”
In the caption of his post, Ashton opened up about Brent’s impact on his life.
“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,” he wrote. “If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts. Wishing him strength, healing, and a full recovery.”
