PARKSLEY, Va. (WAVY) — An Eastern Shore firefighter is in critical condition after a car crash Friday evening.
Jackie Hardstock works full-time with the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department as an Accomack County Department of Public Safety employee. She is also a volunteer firefighter/EMT for the Parksley Volunteer Fire Company.
Friday evening around 10 p.m. Hardstock’s car went off the road and hit a tree on Bayside Road in Accomack County. Parksley Volunteer Fire Company and members of the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene. Onancock Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief, Mike Rydberg was among them.
Rydberg worked with Hardstock every day but told 10 On Your Side, he wasn’t thinking about that while on the scene Friday evening.
“In the moment you don’t really think of it, it’s usually the after, or the post-incident where it kinda hits you,” Rydberg told 10 on your side. “The problem is, in a rural area, that happens a lot. You know a lot of people that you go and try to save, but it’s a little more strenuous and anxiety-driven if it’s someone you work with and you know, and you’re friends with.” He says everyone who was at the scene Friday night knows Hardstock and works with her.
After the call, they had what Rydberg called a “Hotwash” where they discussed the call and debriefed. Yesterday morning the county community service board came in with counselors. The firefighters and EMTs had a roundtable confidential discussion to share their feelings and promote mental health wellness after the difficult call.
“It was a good step to have help for those guys that were affected and the ones that don’t say they’re affected but really it does add up.” Fire Chief Rydberg said.
Hardstock was flown to Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore to be treated. She is in a medically induced coma because of the swelling in her brain.
Her mother uses a wheelchair and, it is difficult for her parents to make the three-hour trip to Baltimore.
“I just want people to understand that there’s a lot of hurting individuals here that you know, they may not show it, but they need help and the family needs help,” Rydberg said.
Community members have come together to check on the couple’s house while they are visiting their daughter, and they have also helped the couple out with food. However, Hardstock could face months if not years of recovery. A GoFundMe has been established to assist the couple with their expenses.
Additionally, there will be a fundraiser for Jackie at the Onancock Elks Lodge, 22454 Front Street in Accomack on Sunday, June 23 at noon.
