Below Deck cameraman in coma years after saving cast member's life on camera

Below Deck cameraman Brent Freeburg, who once saved a cast member’s life on camera, is in a coma after suffering two strokes.

Freeberg made headlines on the sixth season of Below Deck in 2018 when he rescued deckhand Ashton Pienaar, who was pulled into the water when a tow line wrapped around his ankle.

The quick-thinking camera operator helped get the line loose so Pienaar’s leg could be freed and he could swim to safety, with Captain Lee Rosbach admitting afterwards that Pienaar was “30 seconds from dying”.

Seven years later, Freeburg’s family has revealed he suffered a subdural hematoma at Redondo Beach, California, on February 15, and was admitted to hospital for emergency surgery.

“Never has our family experienced a tragedy like this. Our sweet, stubborn and strong Brent suffered two strokes and a subdural hematoma. He was found after family had a neighbor check on him,” his family wrote on a GoFundMe page set up for Freeburg.

The family are “desperately” seeking donations to reach their $500,000 goal so they can transport Freeburg from California to a hospital in New York, where they live.

“Our biggest hurdle we are facing with Brent’s needs being in this coma, is that this happened on the west coast outside of Los Angeles. Our family is on the east coast,” the bio read.

“We are desperate to transport him to the hospital so his family can be with him throughout this process. We are urgently seeking funds to help him continue his care.

“Without medical insurance currently, we are asking for your help. Please spread the word so Brent, our cameraman, our hero, can be at home with his family by his side.”

Pienaar urged fans to help Freeburg in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, writing: “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.”

The South African reality star, 36, added in the video: “It's hard when someone has done so much for you but you're just helpless and can’t really do anything in return.”

“Without his quick thinking and selflessness in that moment [of saving his life] I wouldn't be here today.

“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.”

Freeburg’s mum Cheri explained on the GoFundMe that he had suffered a subdural hematoma, which is a buildup of blood on the surface of the brain when the blood builds up in a space between the protective layers that surrounds the brain.

The next day, she revealed he suffered a stroke and was “weak on his left side”.

He later underwent a successful percutaneous tracheostomy, which is surgically created airway that is kept open with a breathing tube.

Cheri said Freeburg - who could open his eyes “every once in a while” - would not be having any more procedures and would be recovering in hospital for a few days before being moved to a rehab facility.

On February 27, his cousin shared the “good news” on Instagram that he "did move his toes and squeeze his hand on command."