Teen Lifeguard Rescues Boy from Drowning at Santa Cruz Beach

A 16-year-old lifeguard on duty with the California state parks rescued a 10-year-old boy who was pulled into the Pacific Ocean by a wave off Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz on Saturday. The incident was captured on video that later circulated on social media.

According to a statement from local authorities, Williams saw the child in distress, entered the water and maintained his grip despite strong surf until a fellow lifeguard arrived to assist in bringing the boy safely ashore.

Williams’ father, Shane, said his son told him he would not let the boy die and that the rescue was simply part of his training. > "He told me he doesn’t know why everyone was blowing this out of proportion," Shane Williams said.

The rescue occurred amid hazardous conditions warned by the National Weather Service, with 34 rescues reported by the district over the weekend. It was Williams’ first official rescue; he later participated in two additional water-assistance incidents that were not recorded on video.

Williams, who began swimming lessons as a child and later trained at the state parks lifeguard academy, has been described by his father as having acted in accordance with his duties as a lifeguard.