Trump met with a teenage lifeguard and the boy he saved in California
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams and 10-year-old Nathaniel Ray—whom the teenager rescued off the coast of California—to the Oval Office. A video of the rescue, filmed in late July, went viral, according to The Guardian.
During the meeting, Trump called Williams a “true hero.” Addressing Ray, the president said he didn’t know if he could have done the same thing himself, adding that the boy was lucky he wasn’t on duty that day.
Nathaniel Ray sat on the couch next to his father and Trump, while Ryder Williams sat across from them. The president had previously stated on social media that the teenager deserved a civilian award and had also announced his intention to invite him to the White House to honor him for his bravery.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
During the incident at Sibright Beach in Santa Cruz, a wave knocked the boy off his feet. The video shows Williams holding on to Nathaniel amid the powerful waves; both disappear from view for a few seconds before reappearing in the frame. A second lifeguard, Aaron Bonen, helped bring them ashore.
The boy’s father, Sumit Rai, told the Associated Press that he could never repay Williams for what he did and would be forever grateful.
The rescue took place at a time when California lawmakers were considering an initiative to officially grant lifeguards first-responder status. According to NBC Bay Area, such status could provide them with greater professional recognition, support, resources, labor protections, and benefits. State Senator Laird noted that this would require defining training requirements, the procedure for granting the status, and funding sources.
