'Baywatch' cast celebrates teen lifeguard who rescued boy
A 16-year-old lifeguard who rescued a young boy off the coast of Santa Cruz, California, last month has received a special honor from the cast of the "Baywatch" revival.
The show's team celebrated Ryder Williams and welcomed the junior lifeguard and his parents on set on the final day of their season 1 production, calling him "a real life superhero." The cast took a photo together with Ryder and shared it in an Instagram post.
"Baywatch" star Stephen Amell also presented Ryder with the show's season 1 jacket, calling the teen's heroic actions "unbelievable" and "extraordinarily brave."
"It sounds like it was just like a [typical day for him], which is amazing," Amell said in an Instagram video shared by the show. "So, on behalf of the entire team, we would like to present you with your very own 'Baywatch' season 1 jacket. We would like to let you know that you are welcome ... to come and visit and show us how things are done whenever you'd like."
"Baywatch" executive producer Greg Bonann said in a statement Monday, "Baywatch has always celebrated the real men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting the lives of others. 16 year old, rookie lifeguard, Ryder Williams has just reminded all of us why that mission matters. His visit today to the Baywatch set has inspired our whole cast and crew and given all of us all a glimpse of what a real life hero looks like!"
Ryder was on duty at Seabright State Beach on July 25, when he jumped into action and saved a 10-year-old boy from rip currents and 8-foot waves, his first rescue as a lifeguard.
The rescue was caught on camera and later went viral online.
In a statement not long after the incident, Ryder said he was "grateful to have had the opportunity to return the child to his family safely."
The boy's father, Sumit Rai, thanked Ryder and his fellow lifeguards for saving his son in an interview with ABC San Francisco station KGO-TV last month.
"God bless them, and, you know, thank you," he said at the time. "I cannot express sufficient gratitude."
