Dad of 10-year-old boy saved by heroic teen lifeguard speaks out on death-defying rescue

The teenage lifeguard who heroically saved a 10-year-old boy from pounding waves at a Santa Cruz beach revealed what spurred him into action — as the rescue victim’s father spoke out about being the lifeguard’s “biggest fan.”Dramatic video showed Ryder Williams, 16, plunging into powerful surf off Seabright Beach on Saturday to save the struggling boy, leading to national acclaim and praise from President Trump.When Ryder returned home after his lifeguard shift, he told his family the rescue was “all in a day’s work.”“He told me when he got home, he said, ‘Dad, I wasn’t going to let go of that kid because I knew if I let go of him he was going to drown, and I wasn’t going to let that happen,’ and it brought a tear to my eye when he said that,” Ryder’s dad, retired firefighter Shane Williams, told The California Post.“It was pretty amazing.”The rescued boy’s father, Sumit Rai, called his son’s survival “a miracle.” He told told the New York Times his son and 8-year-old daughter were vacationing with their mother in California when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.

Rai only found out about the rescue during a phone call with his kids later that night and didn’t sleep for days after.“To watch her brother go through a near-death experience is not a small thing,” he told the Times, calling himself Ryder’s “biggest fan.”Ryder’s grandfather said the teen has sought to downplay the attention surrounding his bravery.“It was all in a day’s work,” George said Ryder told the family after the rescue.“He said, ‘This is what I do.’”His grandfather added that Ryder participated in five rescues during his Saturday lifeguard shift, including two “that were more gnarly” than saving the 10-year-old.“He’s a great kid,” George added.

“We love him to pieces.”Ryder’s dad said his son’s actions reflected the kind and caring person he has always been.“He just wants to give back to his community becaus...