Trump hails ‘heroic’ teenage lifeguard who saved boy swept out to sea

Donald Trump praised a teenage lifeguard who risked his life to save a boy being swept out to sea in California.

Ryder Williams, 16, who is in his first year in the job, ran out to the waves on Seabright Beach on Saturday after seeing a 10-year-old struggling in the water.

The teenager fought through the “sneaker waves” – deceptively large and powerful waves – to save the boy being dragged into heavy surf at the beach 60 miles south of San Francisco.

Several adults also jumped into the water to help the boy who was stranded around 14 metres from the shore, but retreated after being knocked back by the large waves.

Ryder braved the waves and was joined by a colleague who helped get the child safely out of the water.

After footage of the two-minute rescue operation was widely shared online, Mr Trump invited Ryder to the White House.

He said: “We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a high civilian honour. Very brave, he deserves it!”

Eric Trump, Mr Trump’s son, also praised the lifeguard, writing on X: “Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honour. This is truly the best of America! Well done!”

The Santa Cruz State Lifeguard Association told Fox News the teenager did an “excellent job”, praising his quick response.

“Our state park lifeguards courageously risk their own lives every day to keep our visitors safe.

“Their dedication never goes unnoticed and they are truly heroes to their local communities, Californians and the nation,” the agency said, adding that Santa Cruz District lifeguards rescued 34 people over the weekend from powerful swells.

His family revealed Ryder carried out two further rescues on the same day.

His father, a retired firefighter, told the California Post: “He’s doing great. We’re so overwhelmed. I’m trying to shelter him. I still see him as a little boy.”

He added that the family was not sure whether they would travel to Washington, DC to receive the honour from the US president.

Scott Vander Dussen, a photographer who saw the rescue, told local news outlet KNTV-TV: “The waves, I wouldn’t say they were tranquil, but they were what you’d expect, a normal cadence and intensity.

“And then that just changed in a heartbeat. It caught a lot of people off guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time. I’m glad it ended the way it did.”

After returning to shore, Ryder sprinted past his lifeguard tower to get aid for the boy as paramedics rushed to evaluate the boy.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]