US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that a 16-year-old lifeguard who rescued a 10-year-old boy from powerful waves off a California beach will be invited to the White House and awarded a “high civilian honour.““We’re going to bring this heroic young man, and his family, into the White House with, perhaps, the boy he saved, to give him a High Civilian Honor. Very brave, he deserves it!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.The rescue took place on Saturday at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, where the child was knocked down by a large wave and swept about 15 yards into the Pacific Ocean.
Dramatic rescue caught on camera
Video recorded by bystander Scott Vander Dussen shows the teenage lifeguard sprinting into the rough surf before reaching the struggling child.Holding the boy tightly, the lifeguard dove through crashing waves as several beachgoers attempted to help but were forced back by the strong swell.Another lifeguard eventually joined the effort, and together they brought the child safely back to shore. The boy was medically evaluated and released to his parents without serious injuries.California State Parks, which employs the lifeguards at Seabright Beach, praised the team’s actions.“Our State Park lifeguards courageously risk their own lives every day to keep our visitors safe. Their dedication never goes unnoticed and they are truly heroes to their local communities, Californians and the nation,” the agency said, adding that Santa Cruz District lifeguards rescued 34 people during the weekend’s dangerous surf.
Dangerous Pacific swells
The powerful waves were linked to Pacific hurricanes Fausto and Genevieve, which generated hazardous surf conditions along the California coast.The National Weather Service has extended a beach hazards warning through August 1, cautioning people about sneaker waves, strong rip currents and breaking waves reaching up to 10 feet.
Internet reacts
The rescue video quickly went viral, attracting widespread praise. Before Trump’s announcement, his son Eric Trump had urged that the teenager receive the nation’s highest civilian honour.Social media users also hailed the young lifeguard’s courage, with one person writing, “He has always been selfless. Bravo,” while another said, “At 16, he bear-hugged that child and didn’t let him go. So brave.”Authorities have not officially released the names of either the lifeguard or the rescued boy.
