Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who recently saved a 10-year-old boy from a dangerous surf, is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday at 1 p.m. ET. The meeting comes after a video of Williams' heroic rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz went viral, capturing the attention of the president.
On July 25, Williams saw 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai lose his footing in ankle-deep water and get swept into 8-to-10-foot waves. Williams, a rookie lifeguard, immediately entered the surf to reach the child. He described the rescue as challenging due to its proximity to the shore, which rendered his fins ineffective.
"As I grab the child, he goes limp, so I’m thinking about if he’s unconscious or not, that I really need to go in," Williams said in a social media video. "I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard."
Williams called for bystanders to stay back as he struggled to keep the boy afloat. Another lifeguard eventually joined him, taking over the task of holding the child while Williams assisted. Together, they brought Nathaniel to shore.
Nathaniel's father, Sumit Rai, credited Williams with saving his son's life, calling it a "miracle." Rai noted that "two more seconds he gets thrown another 15-20 feet." Nathaniel was reportedly in shock after the ordeal.
Despite the intensity of the rescue, Williams returned to his lifeguard tower and continued his duties, emphasizing that keeping the public safe is his job. He also highlighted the importance of teamwork among lifeguards.
President Trump had previously acknowledged the rescue on social media, stating his intention to honor Williams. "We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!" Trump posted. Williams will be accompanied by his family for the meeting.