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SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KGO) — A 10-year-old Dallas boy is recovering after being rescued from strong currents while visiting Santa Cruz. It’s an incident he described as a miracle.
Nathaniel Rai said much of the experience remains a blur, but he remembers fearing for his life as waves pulled him into the water.
“I’m just glad I was saved,” Nathaniel said.
The boy recalled being swept away by the current and calling for help.
“When I was first pulled in and started screaming, help!” he said.
Nathaniel was in Santa Cruz with his mother and sister when he was caught in rough water conditions. He said he believed he would continue being pulled farther out.
“Well, I thought I was going to just keep getting pulled. And I went unconscious I think, and when I woke up, I saw Ryder, another lifeguard, and like a bunch of other people trying to help,” Nathaniel recalled.
Ryder Williams, a 16-year-old lifeguard, said he noticed the child in trouble and entered the water to help.
“As I grab the child, he goes limp so I’m thinking about if he is unconscious or not,” Williams said in a social media post.
Williams said the conditions made the rescue difficult, even with his training.
“The whole time I was thinking I just need to hold my position until my partner can get here because I’m not going to get him out on my own,” he said.
Another lifeguard and several beachgoers joined the rescue effort.
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