Teen Lifeguard Saves 10-Year-Old from Drowning at Seabright Beach, California

The father of a 10-year-old boy rescued from turbulent waters off the California coast expressed immense gratitude toward the teenage lifeguard who saved his son during a dramatic incident at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz on Saturday.

Sumit Rai, speaking to The Associated Press on Wednesday, commended the bravery of 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who risked his safety to save Nathaniel from ten-foot waves and dangerous riptides. "He ran into that water despite those conditions that are deadly. It is not safe for him to go into that water," Rai stated, underscoring the danger presented by the ocean's powerful currents.

Nathaniel was playing in shallow water when a sudden surge of waves swept him into the ocean, approximately 60 miles down the coast from San Francisco. Rai, who was in Dallas at the time, learned about the incident during a phone call with his children. "My son told me that he drowned and... he went unconscious," Rai recounted, noting his son's subdued demeanor filled with shock.

By the following morning, Rai had viewed dramatic footage of the rescue that had also garnered attention from notable figures, including President Donald Trump. Lifeguard Ryder Williams had witnessed Nathaniel lose his footing in ankle-deep water and quickly radioed for help before sprinting to the boy's aid. "After the first wave, I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard," Williams explained.

According to California State Parks, Nathaniel was pulled approximately 15 yards into the ocean before Williams made contact. The lifeguard, who was joined by another lifeguard and bystanders, managed to bring Nathaniel back to safety despite the treacherous conditions. Nathaniel sustained no serious injuries and was released to his family after a medical evaluation.

Following the incident, Nathaniel experienced some physical distress, including coughing up sand that had entered his lungs. Rai mentioned that his son is grappling with the psychological impact of the rescue, stating, "He’s still been thinking about it a lot. It bothers him when he’s sleeping. So it’s obviously traumatizing.”

Rai expressed a desire to personally thank lifeguard Williams, stating, "What he did, I can never ever repay. I'm forever grateful."