India, Aug. 5 -- Ten-year-old Nathaniel Rai, the Dallas boy rescued from dangerous surf by 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, has recalled the terrifying moments when he believed he would not survive. Speaking publicly for the first time on CBS Mornings, Nathaniel said he thought he was "going to die" before Williams reached him in the water during the July 25 rescue at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz.

The rescue video has since gone viral.

The fourth grader appeared alongside his father, Sumit Rai, who praised Williams and the other rescuers for saving his son's life. According to California State Parks, Nathaniel did not suffer serious injuries despite the life-threatening conditions.

Nathaniel Rai is a 10-year-old fourth-grad...