A 10-year-old boy visiting California with his family narrowly escaped drowning thanks to the swift actions of a teenage lifeguard. Nathaniel Rai, of Dallas, Texas, was wading in the ocean at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz on Saturday when a large wave swept him out to sea.
His father, Sumit Rai, told ABC 7 that his son "knew he was drowning" and briefly lost consciousness. "He blacked out. He went unconscious. When he came out of the water, he was clearly limp. It doesn't look like he was breathing," the father recounted.
Sixteen-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams immediately jumped into action after observing the boy struggling in the powerful waves. Video footage captured the dramatic rescue, showing Williams holding onto Rai as waves crashed around them. He submerged himself and the boy to avoid being swept further out, a maneuver praised by professional lifeguards.
"The first thing I see when I look at that video is an incredibly brave young man putting his life on the line to save someone else," said Tom Gill, president of the United States Lifesaving Association. Gill noted that Williams' calm approach kept the boy's airways above water as they navigated back to shore.
Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen assisted Williams in bringing Rai to safety on the beach, where bystanders applauded their efforts. Williams sustained minor injuries, including road rash on his forehead, after hitting his head on the sand.
Following the rescue, President Donald Trump announced on X that he would invite Williams and his family, along with Rai and his family, to the White House to receive a civilian honor. Trump described the teenager as "very brave."
Wyatt Werneth, a spokesman for the American Lifeguard Association, highlighted Williams' exceptional performance, stating that few 16-year-olds hired annually would measure up to his actions.
Despite the recognition, Williams has remained humble, telling his family that it was "all in a day's work" and "This is what I do." His father, Shane Williams, shared that his son told him, "I wasn't going to let go of that kid because I knew if I let go of him, he was going to drown and I wasn't going to let that happen."
Williams reportedly performed four additional rescues later that same day. Rai's father expressed profound gratitude for Williams and the others who helped save his son's life, stating, "There's nothing more valuable to me than my children. And to save one of them and their lives... I can't thank them enough."