Croc rescue twin says King's medal is 'surreal'

A woman who saved her twin from a crocodile said it felt "so surreal" to receive a King's Gallantry Medal at Buckingham Palace.

Georgia Laurie, from Berkshire, repeatedly punched the reptile in the face after it attacked her sister while they were swimming in Mexico in June 2021.

The twins were treated in hospital where Melissa developed sepsis and was put into a medically induced coma.

Following her royal medal presentation in December, Georgia said: "We had a lovely chat with the king, he was very personable."

Reflecting on the day at the palace, she said she felt like she was "in a dream".

"I could never have imagined this three years ago," Georgia said.

The first King's Gallantry Medal recognised acts of bravery by civilians and military personnel.

Melissa called it a "silver lining to come out of the whole traumatic experience".

She said the pair were now "doing really well" and were looking forward to starting new jobs as cabin crew for Virgin Atlantic in March.

Georgia discussed the press attention that the story had received.

"I think it's just a really beautiful story of love and the twin bond and I think that's why people enjoy our story so much," she said.

"I had a happy ending and it shows the strength of the human spirit."

The twins, from Berkshire, had been in Mexico in June 2021 to volunteer, work in animal sanctuaries and travel.

They were out swimming during a guided river tour in a lagoon near Puerto Escondido when the animal attacked.

Melissa said she lost consciousness but recalled thinking: "I'm never going to see my family again."

"It was very touch and go," she said.

Georgia said: "When I saw her I did think she was dead."

She added that her experience as a diver meant she knew how to conduct emergency first aid.

When she punched the crocodile she said she acted on "instinct" as she was worried that if it came for her it would leave her sister without any help.

"I should hope most of us in that situation would try and fight as hard as they could and I just did that with my fists," she said.

The attack nearly three years ago left Melissa with an open fracture to her wrist, severe bite wounds to the abdomen, and many to her leg and foot, while Georgia was bitten on her hand.

In August 2024 they swam in the eight mile (13km) Thames Marathon swim from Henley to Marlow to raise money for charity.

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