British woman in coma after twin sister rescued her from crocodile in Mexico
A British woman has been placed in a coma after her twin sister saved her from a vicious crocodile attack in Mexico.
Melissa and Georgia Laurie, 28, were swimming at night in Manialtepec Lagoon, 450 miles south-east of Mexico City, when a crocodile dragged Melissa under the water, the Daily Mail reported.
The women’s father Sean Laurie told the newspaper, Georgia, a diver who has life-saving experience, found Melissa face-down in the water several minutes later.
He explained Georgia tried to bring Melissa back to their boat but the crocodile attacked again.
Mr Laurie said: “Georgia had to fight it off. She kept punching it in the head.”
Their mother Sue Laurie, from Sandhurst in Berkshire, said both sisters were rushed to hospital suffering bite injuries, with Melissa placed into a medically-induced coma.
Mrs Laurie said: “Melissa is alive, but we don’t know if her injuries are life-threatening or not.
“She has water on her lungs and she has been coughing up blood. So we don’t know if she has a punctured lung or not.”
The twins were volunteering with animals in the country and had been taking a break when the crocodile attacked.
Their elder sister, Hana Laurie, 33, told the PA news agency Georgia fought off the crocodile three times.
"I felt really proud of her, very proud of her," she said. "Georgia's OK, she's tired, she's really stressed. I think she's really frightened but she is awake and has got some wounds on her hands. Melissa's still in an induced coma."
Hana said the family were in disbelief when they found out what happened, adding that the event was "so unusual, and so rare" that they "didn't believe it could happen to them".
She added the pair had booked a tour with a guide through their hostel and the women found out later their tour guide was not registered and had taken them to swimming spot which was not recommended.
"He's an unlicensed tour guide and according to someone on a Mexican Facebook page he's been doing it for a while, doing illegal tours in unsafe, unregistered areas," Hana said.
"He's gone to where the crocodiles live and not the location where all legal certified sanctioned tours take place. He has been called out locally before, apparently, but that wasn't for my sisters to know. They found out the information through their hospital."
The family are now trying to work out if they are able to fly over to Mexico to support the twins, but added it is more difficult due to the cost and Mexico being placed on Britain's amber list.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We are supporting the family of two British women who are in hospital in Mexico, and are in contact with the local authorities.”