A 10-year-old boy who was swept into rough waters off the California coast was reunited with the 16-year-old lifeguard who helped save his life during a special meeting at the White House.
Nathanial Rai sat alongside his father, Sumit, in the Oval Office as US President Donald Trump welcomed him and his rescuer, Ryder Williams.
Speaking about the teenager’s actions, Trump praised Ryder as a hero and admitted he was unsure whether he would have been brave enough to attempt the rescue himself.
“He’s a real hero. I don’t know if I’d do it,” Trump said, adding jokingly that Nathanial was fortunate he was not the lifeguard on duty that day.
Ryder and Nathanial were invited to the White House after dramatic footage of the rescue went viral in late July. Trump had previously said the teenage lifeguard deserved a civilian honour for his bravery.
The footage showed Ryder holding on to Nathanial as powerful waves repeatedly crashed over them at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz. The pair disappeared beneath the waves for several seconds before resurfacing as the water receded.
A second lifeguard, Aaron Bohnen, eventually managed to assist Ryder and bring both teenagers back safely to shore.
Nathanial’s father expressed his deep gratitude towards Ryder, saying he could never repay the teenager for what he had done.
“What he did, I can never repay. I’m forever grateful,” Sumit told the Associated Press.
The dramatic rescue has also drawn attention to the role and status of lifeguards in California, coming as state lawmakers consider legislation that would formally recognise them as first responders.
According to NBC Bay Area, supporters say such recognition could provide lifeguards with greater professional recognition, resources, worker protections and benefits.
However, Santa Cruz state senator John Laird said the proposal would require careful consideration, particularly regarding the level of training required and how the designation would be implemented.
“Of course, lifeguards are first responders,” Laird said, while noting that authorities would need to determine appropriate training requirements, responsibilities and funding.
For Nathanial and his family, however, the issue is much more personal — the teenager’s life was saved because a young lifeguard was willing to put himself in danger when the waves turned deadly.
