A 16-year-old rookie lifeguard hailed by President Trump after a dramatic California beach rescue says he made one decision as towering waves crashed around him: “I wasn’t going to let go of that kid.”
In his first statement since the rescue Williams recounted the heart-stopping moments.
“He was going to drown, and I wasn’t going to let that happen,” Ryder Williams later told his father, retired firefighter Shane Williams, after rescuing 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from violent surf at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz on Saturday.
Williams, in his first year as a California State Parks lifeguard, raced into the ocean after spotting Nathaniel lose his footing in ankle-deep water before the child was swept into deep water by powerful waves.
“I radioed it in, threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid. I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child,” Williams said in a statement.
The rescue earned the teen national praise, with President Donald Trump announcing that he plans to invite Williams to the White House to receive a high civilian honor.
Officials said Williams was assigned to Tower 2 and had spent the day making safety contacts because of heavy crowds and dangerous surf.
Williams released said he radioed the emergency , dropped his gear and sprinted into the water.
“Due to the volatility of the water, I was unable to tube up the victim,” Williams said, adding that the child had gone limp as waves repeatedly crashed over them.
Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen reached the pair after several more waves battered them, while Williams yelled for bystanders who tried to help to return to shore.
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After bringing Nathaniel safely onto the beach, Williams retrieved medical equipment before the boy was assessed.
He then climbed back into his tower and finished the rest of his shift.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” Williams said. “This is my job and I love what I do.”
