President Trump says he will invite the lifeguard to the White House for a civilian honor
The rescue occurred at Seabright Beach, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) down the coast from San Francisco. The boy was pulled into the ocean by waves that, according to a witness, shifted in character without warning.
Scott Vander Dussen, who captured video of the rescue, told KNTV-TV the waves initially appeared ordinary.
“The waves, I wouldn’t say they were tranquil, but they were what you’d expect, a normal cadence and intensity,” Vander Dussen said. “And then that just changed in a heartbeat. It caught a lot of people off guard. Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time. I’m glad it ended the way it did.”
The lifeguard, whose name was not released, dove into the surf and brought the boy to safety. President Donald Trump praised the rescuer in a social media post on Tuesday.
“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.