Reedy Creek firefighter thanks medical staff that saved his life during heart attack

CELEBRATION, Fla. — A Reedy Creek firefighter is getting a second chance at life after his heart stopped while on the job.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Channel 9 was there as Steve Hollingsworth and his wife thanked the medical team that saved him at AdventHealth in Celebration.

In mid-April, Hollingsworth and his partner dropped off a patient at the hospital when he started feeling pressure on his chest.

Watch: Central Florida law enforcement informs community before permitless carry law takes effect

They didn’t think anything of it until he started feeling off.

After returning to the hospital his heart stopped as soon as he entered the emergency room.

Read: Sheriff: Polk County deputy shot, suspect killed in Frostproof shooting

“I remember I tried to grab the bed,” Hollingsworth said. “They told me I had a heart attack and my heart had stopped and they, you know, did CPR and shocked me back.”

The emergency room staff told us they were under pressure to save Hollingsworth because of friendship with him.

Watch: Girl shares story of shark attack while visiting Cocoa Beach with family

Some of the technicians compared it to operating on their family.

See more in the video above.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group