Overview
- A 16-year-old California State Parks lifeguard, Ryder Williams, rushed into pounding shore break to hold 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai after the boy tripped at the water’s edge and lost consciousness.
- Video of the rescue showed waves crashing over the pair as a second lifeguard and good Samaritans helped bring them back to shore when a rescue tube could not be used.
- The viral footage drew national attention and contact from White House staff, and an invitation to the White House has been discussed but no official date has been set.
- Nathaniel returned home to Dallas and is recovering from a bruise, brief breathing trouble and a sore back while he and his father have publicly thanked Williams and connected with his family by video chat.
- Local officials and forecasters said unusually large swells and strong rip currents drove high rescue volumes, and they urged people to swim near lifeguards and closely supervise children to reduce risk.