Sister punched a crocodile to save her twin

It's hard to even imagine would you would do if your sister was being attacked by a crocodile.

Twins Georgia and Melissa Laurie, from Berkshire, were swimming in a river in Puerto Escondido in 2021 when Melissa spotted a crocodile in the water nearby.

As most would do, the siblings desperately swam away to shore when Melissa was being pulled in by the reptile.

With barely a second to think, Georgia’s protective instinct kicked in and she jumped in the water to save her sister.

Melissa was floating unconscious face down in the water and she had to be revived before the crocodile returned and attacked her again.

Georgia repeatedly punched the reptile in the face until it eventually let go - before returning for a third time.

Georgia Laurie was rushed to hospital following the attack (Instagram/@crocodiletwins)

As the reptile then rolled Melissa over, Georgia continued to punch it in the face before it eventually swam off.

Melissa was left with a complicated open wrist fracture, severe puncture wounds to her stomach, bowel and intestines as well as several bite injuries to her leg, foot and glutes.

Georgia, meanwhile, received bite injuries to her hand.

Following a lengthy recovery, the two 33-year-olds are now visiting a crocodile conservation project in Central America to overcome the long-lasting mental impacts of the attack.

The pair are now focused on protecting the very animals they once feared (Instagram/@crocodiletwins)

"We were just hoping that the very thing that put us into survival mode for so long was going to be the thing that took us out of survival mode. It's been a difficult five years," Melissa told BBC Breakfast.

"It's such a weird feeling. I can't believe that we are here now," Georgia added.

"We have come so far in our healing journey. [Trauma is] a very difficult thing for anyone to go through.

"If you are going through it, please know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you can do these positive things after that."

The crocodile tried to take Georgia away three times (BBC Breakfast)

The incredible act of bravery led to Georgia receiving a bravery medal from the King in December 2024.

Georgia said: "I feel really privileged, it's a silver lining to have come out of the terrible ordeal... it kind of softens the whole traumatic experience."

She added that she would share the award with his sister: "What's made this story so incredible is Melissa's unwavering bravery throughout it all because she was so strong during it and I don't think I would be here without her.

"She really gave me the strength to keep fighting."