PONTIAC, Mich. — An EMT collapsed and died during a struggle with a psychiatric patient he was attempting to load into an ambulance Tuesday.

Bill Rose, 42, of Star EMS in Pontiac, suffered a seizure when the 19-year-old began throwing punches and tried to jump off the stretcher, according to the Oakland Press.

"He fell to the ground and was telling his partner he needed oxygen," said Bill Grubb, president and CEO of Star EMS.

"His partner got help from people, got him on the stretcher and took him to the hospital, where he went into cardiac arrest. They put in a very valiant effort trying to save him."

Rose had heart disease and didn't know about it, according to the medical examiner. He apparently suffered a heart attack durring the struggle.

"It doesn't sound like that there was anything that the patient did that would be lethal towards Bill," Grubb told MyFoxDetroit. "We have stresses like that every day."

The death has been ruled accidental, but the patient ran off and was later caught and arrested. He is being held pending review of the case.

Rose's co-workers are mourning for their friend, saying he was dependable and always smiling.

"You never know how short life can be," said Eric Simmons, Rose's partner.

Rose had worked at Star EMS for more than three years, Grubb told the Oakland Press. Rose planned to get his Paramedic license in 2012, and he was engaged to be married.

"Things were just getting going for him," Grubb said.