The father of a 10-year-old boy rescued from pounding surf off the California coast says he is beyond grateful to the teenage lifeguard who saved his son. Sumit Rai told the Associated Press on Wednesday that lifeguard Ryder Williams, 16, risked his own safety to rescue Nathaniel from 10ft waves and riptides at Seabright beach in Santa Cruz.
Dramatic Rescue Captured on Video
Nathaniel was standing in shallow water when he lost his footing and was pulled into the ocean on Saturday by powerful swells. Williams, who saw the boy lose his footing in ankle-deep water, radioed in and raced toward him. After the first wave, Williams said he was unable to pull Nathaniel out because the boy was limp and the waves were pushing hard. Another lifeguard and bystanders helped, but Williams warned them to return to shore. The rescue was captured on video and has since gone viral.
Father's Reaction and Trump's Offer
Rai, who was at home in Dallas, said his son told him he drowned and went unconscious. By the next morning, Rai had watched the video, which caught the attention of President Donald Trump. Trump posted on social media about awarding Williams a “high civilian honor” and inviting him and his family to the White House. However, Williams's father, Shane, said they had not yet heard from the Trump administration officially.
Aftermath and Gratitude
Nathaniel had no serious injuries and was released to his family after a medical evaluation. Rai said his son is dealing with psychological effects, including trouble sleeping. Rai has reached out to Williams and hopes to thank him directly, saying, “What he did, I can never ever repay. I’m forever grateful.”
