Video shows the heart-stopping moment a little boy was nearly killed by monster waves in a California beach town over the weekend.
The terrifying drama unfolded Saturday at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz when killer waves sucked a young swimmer into massive surf.
Scott Vander Dussen, who captured the dramatic video, told NBC that boy, about 10 years old, was swept out to sea as wave after wave detonated onto his body.
“It caught a lot of people off-guard,” said Vander Dussen. “Unfortunately, this young man was overwhelmed and swept out in just a moment’s time.”
As bystanders watched in terror, a 16-year-old lifeguard dove into the water and fought the powerful waves to reach the child and bring him back to shore.
Other beachgoers and a second lifeguard rushed to the rescue, helping carry the boy back to safety.
Eric Trump reposted the video of the lifeguard with praise. “Give this 16-year-old lifeguard the highest civilian honor. This is truly the best of America! Well done!,” he added.
The boy was evaluated by paramedics and reunited with family, according to NBC.
Santa Cruz lifeguards are highly trained and must complete at least 56 hours of lifeguard instruction, 24 hours of medical certification training and more than 80 hours of marine safety lifeguard training.
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Treacherous waves are expected to continue in the area through Wednesday.
“I’m glad it ended the way it did,” Vander Dussen said. “I’m certain if the lifeguards weren’t there, he wouldn’t have gone home that night.”
