President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that a heroic 16-year-old lifeguard will receive a "high civilian honor" for saving a 10-year-old boy from powerful waves at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz.
Ryder Williams was on duty Saturday when he plunged into the surf to rescue the child. Dramatic video captured the daring rescue, which has since drawn national attention and praise.
"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 wrote on social media.
Williams, a soon-to-be high school junior, downplayed the act, telling his family it was "all in a day's work." His father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, recounted his son's words: "Dad, 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." The elder Williams described the rescue as "pretty amazing."
The rescued boy's father, Sumit Rai, called his son's survival "a miracle." Rai, who learned of the ordeal during a phone call with his children later that night, expressed gratitude for Williams, calling himself the lifeguard's "biggest fan."
According to his grandfather, Williams participated in five rescues during his shift, including two that were more challenging than the save of the 10-year-old. Despite the attention, Williams returned to his lifeguard duties on Tuesday.
Williams' father indicated that his son is considering a career in the fire service, following in his father's footsteps. The family is focused on regrouping and ensuring Ryder is doing well.