Beaufort News

Outlook said bleak for stricken Burton firefighter

The Burton firefighter stricken by a medical event earlier this month suffered an extensive brain injury and is not expected to recover, according to the latest news from his family.

Stuart Hardy underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed the extent of the damage. Doctors have not yet determined what caused Hardy to fall ill while responding to a car crash on Sept. 13, Burton Fire District spokesman Dan Byrne said Wednesday.

Hardy's family is gathering at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston where Hardy is being treated, Byrne said.

A Burton Fire District statement said test results were not what supporters had hoped and that the department's focus is on supporting Hardy's family.

"The Burton Fire District cannot express enough gratitude for the public's outpouring of concern and prayers over the last few weeks," the statement said.

Hardy, 31, was in the Marine Corps and stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort before receiving an honorable discharge. He graduated from the S.C. Fire Academy a year ago.

Members of the Burton Fire District traveled to Charleston on Wednesday to be with Hardy and his family, Byrne said. Firefighters from other area departments fill in during their absence.

Hardy married his high school sweetheart, Nicole, and the couple has three young daughters.

Nicole has kept people updated on her husband's condition through Facebook posts.

"Through times of tragedy, grief, and darkness, good can still be found if we look and search," a post on the page "Stand by Stuey" said late Tuesday. "What will be remembered from this time of pain and sorrow is the unending love and support shown by those that love him."

WAYS TO DONATE

There are three ways to donate money to Stuart Hardy, the Burton firefighter in grave condition after a suffering a medical event this month, and his family:

Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.

Related content

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Outlook said bleak for stricken Burton firefighter."

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