Croc attack twin: I’m so happy to be alive

A BRITISH woman rescued from the jaws of a crocodile has spoken for the first time since the attack to say she is ‘grateful’ to be alive.

Melissa Laurie, 28, whose life was saved after her identical twin Georgia repeatedly punched the 10ft-long reptile, was placed in a medically induced coma after the attack in Mexico last week.

In a brief statement after regaining consciousness yesterday, zookeeper Melissa, pictured near right, thanked her sister, saying: ‘I am extremely grateful that I came out of this alive and that I had Georgia to fight my side for me. So I am very happy for that.’

The twins were with an illegal tour guide who took them swimming in the Manialtepec Lagoon near Puerto Escondido, in the south of the country. Locals say Melissa was most likely attacked by a female crocodile protecting her young that put her into a ‘death roll’ – dragging her beneath the water to try to drown her.

Sales rep Georgia, far right, fought off the beast three times as it mauled her sister, suffering a broken wrist and bites to her hand. Melissa was badly injured, with multiple bite wounds to her hand, face, legs and stomach. She later developed life-threatening sepsis, but doctors say she is expected to make a full recovery.

The twins’ parents are believed to be flying to Mexico this weekend t o meet t heir daughters. Mother Sue said: ‘Melissa is looking quite a bit better. She is trying to smile but it’s obvious that she’s in a lot of pain.’