A teenage lifeguard who rescued a drowning boy from hazardous surf is being brought to the White House as a national hero by President Donald Trump.
The 16-year-old rookie lifeguard with California State Parks, Ryder Williams, is set to receive what the President called a High Civilian Honour after footage of the rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz went viral. The video shows Williams repeatedly disappearing beneath crashing waves while keeping hold of a boy believed to be around 10 years old. Trump announced his intention to honour the teenager on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
