A 16-year-old lifeguard was hailed a hero after diving into dangerous, tsunami-like waves to rescue a child who had been swept out to sea at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. Witnesses described the rescue as one of the most courageous they had ever seen, as powerful swells tossed the teenager and fellow rescuers around during the frantic operation, all of which was captured on camera.

The high school student lifeguard battled the crashing surf to reach the child and bring them safely back to shore, in scenes that unfolded before onlookers on the beach. The dramatic footage, shared on social media, highlighted the perilous conditions caused by the towering waves along the Santa Cruz coastline.