Local man's life saved at restaurant thanks to off-duty nurse and HCA Florida Largo Hospital team

Largo, FL — What began as an ordinary evening out quickly turned into a fight for life for Ernest Rose, father and proud veteran. Just as he was about to order dinner at a local restaurant with his wife, Ernest suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest.

In a remarkable twist of fate, a fellow diner — Eric Botsford, an ER nurse at HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital — was nearby. Acting without hesitation, Botsford immediately began performing CPR, keeping Ernest alive until emergency medical services arrived.

“In that moment, I wasn’t thinking about being off-duty — I was just thinking about helping someone in need,” said Botsford. “I’m grateful I was in the right place at the right time, and it’s incredible to see Mr. Rose recovering today.”

Ernest was rushed to the Emergency Room at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, where he was admitted and later received a pacemaker procedure performed by Dr. Glenn Dym, clinical cardiac electrophysiologist.

“From the bystander nurse who didn’t hesitate to help, to the EMS crew, to Dr. Dym and the hospital team — you all gave us an opportunity to say goodbye, which we wouldn’t be able to do if he had died,” said Ernest’s daughter, Linda Simms. “We can never thank you enough.”

Recently, Ernest and his family reunited with the nurse who stepped in that night. With heartfelt gratitude, they thanked him for giving them the greatest gift of all — more time together.