A dramatic rescue at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, has captured national attention in the United States after a lifeguard charged into powerful waves to save a young swimmer struggling in dangerous surf.
The heart-stopping incident was caught on camera by beachgoer Scott Vander Dussen. The now-viral Santa Cruz beach video shows just how quickly calm beach conditions can turn life-threatening. The rescue came as officials have time and again warned visitors about hazardous surf along the Santa Cruz coastline.
Video shows Santa Cruz lifeguard battling massive waves
According to Vander Dussen, the rescue began even before his recording started. "I've never seen a rescue this intense before. So when I saw that unfolding, I just didn't know how it was going to turn out."
