A TEENAGE lifeguard who raced to save a drowning boy says he knew he wasn’t “going to let go” as he heroically pulled him from monster waves.
Ryder Williams, 16, told his dad after from the violent waves that he knew the boy was going to drown if he didn’t take action.
Heroic moment brave 16-year-old fights monster waves to rescue drowning boy, 10 Credit: tiktok/ cajonpassfreeway15
Ryder’s bravery has earned praise from Donald Trump Credit: tiktok/ cajonpassfreeway15
Nathaniel Rai was on holiday in California with his family when he began to drown Credit: AP
Nathaniel lost his footing in ankle-deep water before the boy was swept into deep water by powerful waves Credit: AP
In his first words since the brave rescue that was caught on video, Ryder has revealed what went through his mind when Nathaniel Rai first got into trouble.
“He was going to drown, and I wasn’t going to let that happen,” he said, according to the New York Post .
The rookie lifeguard said he leapt into action when he saw Nathaniel lose his footing in ankle-deep water before the boy was swept into deep water by powerful waves.
“I radioed it in, threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid. I put my fins on my wrist, popped my buoy and entered the water to get ahold of the child,” Ryder said.
The child had gone limp and lost consciousness as waves repeatedly crashed over them Credit: tiktok/ cajonpassfreeway15
The rookie lifeguard said he leapt into action when he saw Nathaniel lose his footing in ankle-deep water Credit: tiktok/ cajonpassfreeway15
His bravery has earned praise from , who said he would reward Ryder with a “high civilian honour” at the White House.
Nathaniel’s father Sumit Rai said his family was lucky Ryder and other lifeguards were at the scene, adding that it could have been a “different ending” if they hadn’t rushed into action.
“Another two or three seconds, I don’t think my son would have made it,” he said.
Video of the rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz shows Ryder grab Nathaniel in his arms and pull him into shore while being battered by terrifying waves.
“Due to the volatility of the water, I was unable to tube up the victim,” Ryder told US media outlets.
He said the child had gone limp and lost consciousness as waves repeatedly crashed over them.
After each wave Ryder can be seen emerging from the water again with the boy in his arms.
“I wasn’t going to let go of that kid,” Ryder said.
Fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen ran into the water to assist the pair after several more waves battered them.
After the rescue, Ryder returned to his watch tower and completed his shift.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” he said.
“This is my job and I love what I do.”
Nathaniel had been on holiday with his family from Texas when he had his brush with death on Saturday.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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