Father ‘forever grateful’ to lifeguard who saved his son in rescue video that caught Trump’s attention

30 Jul 2026 • 9:54 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Father ‘forever grateful’ to lifeguard who saved his son in rescue video that caught Trump’s attention

  • A 16-year-old lifeguard, Ryder Williams, heroically rescued 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from dangerous surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, an event captured in a viral video that caught President Donald Trump’s attention.
  • Nathaniel was swept into the ocean by powerful waves while standing in shallow water, becoming unconscious before Williams reached him in conditions described as having 10-foot waves and strong rip currents.
  • Williams, risking his own safety, dove into the crashing waves to retrieve the limp boy, with assistance from another lifeguard and bystanders to bring them safely back to shore.
  • Nathaniel's father, Sumit Rai, expressed immense gratitude to Williams, stating, “What he did, I can never ever repay," he said. "I'm forever grateful.”
  • “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” the lifeguard said. “This is my job and I love what I do. I’m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day.”

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