{"id":418375,"date":"2026-07-30T19:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/418375\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T19:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T19:07:10","slug":"boy-says-he-was-unconscious-before-teen-california-lifeguards-rescue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/418375\/","title":{"rendered":"Boy says he was ‘unconscious’ before teen California lifeguard\u2019s rescue"},"content":{"rendered":"

A 10-year-old boy rescued from the punishing surf at a Santa Cruz beach told his father he \u201cdrowned\u201d and \u201cwent unconscious\u201d<\/a> after monster waves swept him into the ocean \u2014 as the teenage California lifeguard who saved him is being hailed a hero.<\/a><\/p>\n

The dramatic rescue unfolded Saturday at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, where 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams plunged into violent surf to save the struggling child as towering waves and dangerous rip currents battered the shoreline.<\/p>\n

The rescued boy\u2019s father, Sumit Rai, told The Associated Press<\/a> that his son Nathaniel was still in shock when they spoke later that evening.<\/p>\n

The rescued boy\u2019s father said that his son Nathaniel was still in shock after the incident. Sumit Rai via AP<\/p>\n

After the rescue, Nathaniel began coughing up sand as he recovered from the terrifying ordeal that nearly claimed his life, Rai said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son told me that he drowned and my son told me that he went unconscious,\u201d the dad said. \u201cHe was very subdued, still in a state of shock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rai previously told The California Post he believes his son\u2019s survival was \u201ca miracle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

Nathaniel had been standing in ankle-deep water when powerful swells suddenly knocked him off his feet and dragged him into the ocean. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

\u201cGratefully, he\u2019s alive. It\u2019s a miracle,\u201d the dad said. \u201cI\u2019m so grateful to that lifeguard, Ryder.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nathaniel had been standing in ankle-deep water when powerful swells suddenly knocked him off his feet and dragged him into the ocean.<\/p>\n

Williams said he immediately radioed for help before sprinting into the dangerous conditions.<\/p>\n

California State Parks said the boy was swept about 15 yards offshore before Williams reached him. Courtesy Sumit Rai<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the first wave, I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard,\u201d Williams said in a statement.<\/p>\n

California State Parks said the boy was swept about 15 yards offshore before Williams reached him.<\/p>\n

Dramatic video captured the teen diving through crashing waves while gripping the limp child, refusing to let go as the surf repeatedly threatened to pull them both back out to sea. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

Dramatic video captured the teen diving through crashing waves while gripping the limp child, refusing to let go as the surf repeatedly threatened to pull them both back out to sea.<\/p>\n

When Williams returned home after his shift, he told his father exactly what was going through his mind during the rescue.<\/p>\n

About 10 people initially rushed into the water to help, but several had to retreat because the pounding surf was so dangerous. Instagram\/@Santacruznow<\/p>\n

\u201cHe told me when he got home, he said, \u2018Dad, I wasn\u2019t going to let go of that kid because I knew if I let go of him he was going to drown, and I wasn\u2019t going to let that happen,\u2019 and it brought a tear to my eye when he said that,\u201d retired firefighter Shane Williams told The Post.<\/p>\n

Rai told The Post that the rescue was even more perilous than it appeared on video. About 10 people initially rushed into the water to help, but several had to retreat because the pounding surf was so dangerous.<\/p>\n

Although Nathaniel escaped without serious physical injuries, his father said the terrifying ordeal has left emotional scars. Courtesy Sumit Rai<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo more seconds, he gets thrown another 15 to 20 feet,\u201d Rai said. \u201cYou can\u2019t see him, let alone rescue him.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the person filming only spotted his son when the white foam of a crashing wave briefly exposed a glimpse of the boy\u2019s brown hair.<\/p>\n

Although Nathaniel escaped without serious injuries, Rai said the terrifying ordeal has left emotional scars.<\/p>\n

He also told the AP that his son got sand in his lungs and was coughing it out after reaching shore.<\/p>\n

President Trump announced Tuesday that Williams will receive a high civilian honor at the White House for his bravery. Courtesy of Shane Williams<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s still been thinking about it a lot. It\u2019s on his mind,\u201d Rai said. \u201cIt bothers him when he\u2019s sleeping. So it\u2019s obviously traumatizing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams has repeatedly downplayed the attention surrounding his heroics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely. This is my job and I love what I do. I\u2019m thankful to my fellow lifeguards who perform rescues just like this every day,\u201d he said in his statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe ran into that water despite those conditions that are deadly,\u201d Rai added to the AP. \u201cYou have 10-foot waves; you have riptides and currents coming in. It is not safe for him to go into that water. So he\u2019s risking his own safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat he did, I can never ever repay,\u201d Rai added. \u201cI\u2019m forever grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

President Trump announced Tuesday that Williams will receive a high civilian honor at the White House for his bravery.<\/p>\n

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