Stricken Burton firefighter remains in critical condition
The Burton firefighter who suffered a medical event responding to a car crash earlier this month remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to a Burton Fire District news release.
Stuart Hardy, 31, was responding to a car crash Sept. 13 when he suffered the medical emergency, the details of which have not been revealed. He was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital and later to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he is in critical but stable condition.
Hardy was scheduled to undergo another test Monday that could tell doctors more about his condition, Burton Fire District spokesman Daniel Byrne said.
"Our brother Stuart is winning battles, losing a few, but holding his ground on most," the fire department posted on its Facebook page Sunday. "He has a team of doctors working with him and he is surrounded by family, friends, and brothers. The community's concern and prayers are heard and felt."
"Stand By Stuey," another Facebook page updating people on Hardy's condition, said doctors are working to relieve pressure in Hardy's brain and regulate his body temperature.
Early posts last week from Burton Fire District said Hardy was making steady progress. A later post said he continued to hold his ground.
Hardy, a firefighter and EMT, is married with three young daughters, according to a release. He is a Marine Corps veteran who received an honorable discharge after serving at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
He has worked for the fire district for about a year, completing the fire academy course in September 2014, the release said.
Fire officials described Hardy as a nervous rookie who was becoming a confident veteran.
"He was out there saving lives, and there is no higher calling than that," Burton Fire Chief Harry Rountree said in the release.
Funds for Hardy have been set up through Regions Bank, GoFundMe and PayPal. Donation information is available on the Burton Fire District's Facebook page.
A car wash and bake sale is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Bridges Preparatory School, and Fat Patties has agreed to donate a portion of its proceeds to Hardy after 5 p.m. on Oct. 6.
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This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Stricken Burton firefighter remains in critical condition."