Ashton Pienaar faced a life-threatening accident while filming Below Deck Season 6. The South African native narrowly avoided death, but was saved thanks to a quick-thinking cameraman named Brent Freeburg.
The duo maintained a friendship since the incident in 2018. And unfortunately, Ashton shared a troubling update on Brent’s health on his social media recently. Brent was a hero after the incident on Below Deck. He released a tow line that had wrapped around Ashton’s ankle and pulled him underwater. At the time, production chastised Brent for breaking the fourth wall. But the fact remains that he saved Ashton’s life.
Brent suffered “two strokes and a subdural hematoma.”
According to a GoFundMe page opened in his name, Brent suffered “two strokes and a subdural hematoma.” He is currently being treated in a PCU unit at a hospital in Los Angeles. The family shared a photo of Brent with Ashton on his GoFundMe in a tribute to their friendship from their Bravo days. The account currently has $74,563 on it.
At the Season 6 reunion, Brent recalled, “Well, I would say that it wasn’t just me. 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 paid tribute to Brent in a social media post
Now, it seems that Ashton wants to do what he can to get the word out about his “real life hero” and the GoFundMe meant to relieve the family of medical expenses.
“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 posted to his social media. “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.”
Ashton continued, “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.”
Catch Below Deck Down Under Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO BRENT’S DIAGNOSIS? WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO ASHTON’S POST?
