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Sumit Rai said he received a phone call no parent wants to receive after his 10-year-old son was swept into the ocean at California’s Seabright State Beach.
“My son [called and] told me, ‘Dad, I drowned. I went unconscious.’ I’m listening to him, and he thinks he is going to die,” Rai shared on Fox News Live.
Nathaniel was standing on the wet sand near the shoreline when a wave knocked him down and pulled him roughly 15 yards into deep water.
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Seabright State Beach was under a high surf advisory at the time. According to California State Parks, swell conditions generated 4- to 6-foot waves, with sets occasionally reaching 10 feet.
Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old lifeguard stationed at Tower 2, spotted Nathaniel losing his footing. In a statement to California State Parks, Williams said he saw the child about 20 yards from the tower.
The 16-year-old radioed in the situation, left his devices and sunglasses at the base of the tower, and ran toward the shore with fins strapped to his wrists and a buoy. He then dove into the water and swam to reach the boy.
Viral video of the rescue showed Williams holding Nathaniel in the rough surf.
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“After the first wave, I was unable to pull him out because he was limp and the waves were pushing so hard,” Williams said.
About three more waves broke over the two before fellow lifeguard Aaron Bohnen entered the water to assist.
Rai noted that carrying the limp child required Williams to move roughly 100 pounds through the crashing waves.
“Doing that is remarkable,” Rai said. “There is no way I could ever repay him.”
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Williams and Bohnen brought Nathaniel to shore and evaluated him for injuries. Rai, who was not on vacation with his children, said he had not yet seen his son following the rescue.
“The first thing I’ll do is give him a big hug,” he said. “… I’m so relieved and grateful for Ryder and his courage and heroism and going into that tumultuous condition to save my son. Without him, my son wouldn’t be alive.”
After the video of the rescue garnered national attention, President Donald Trump said Williams deserved a trip to the White House and a national honor.
Asked about the remarks by Fox News Live host Aishah Hasnie, Rai supported recognition for the young lifeguard.
“He absolutely should. I’m for any award or recognition,” he said. “I’m his biggest fan, and I am so grateful for what he did. My children are precious to me and nothing means more to me.”
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Reflecting on the value of local lifeguards in the community, Williams said he feels fortunate.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely,” Williams 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.”
California State Parks’ Santa Cruz District lifeguards performed 34 rescues over the weekend and made more than 5,000 preventative contacts along the coastline.
