A frantic rescue unfolded at a Santa Cruz beach when a child was swept into powerful, tsunami-like waves, prompting a teenage lifeguard to dive into the life-threatening surf.

A 16-year-old rookie lifeguard's heart-pounding ocean rescue in Santa Cruz saved a child's life, went viral online, and even caught the attention of President Donald Trump.

After seeing that the 10-year-old’s life was in danger, Williams “radioed in and threw my radio and sunglasses at the base of my tower as I ran toward the kid,” the lifeguard described in a statement.