Georgia Laurie, from Sandhurst in Berkshire, was bitten in the arm while fighting the reptile off as it dragged sister Melissa underwater and attacked her three times as they were swimming at a lagoon in the Mexican state of Oaxaca in June 2021.
Both women were seriously hurt, with Melissa developing sepsis as a result of her wounds but surviving after treatment – with Georgia now set to receive the King’s Gallantry Medal. “It’s an honour. I was so shocked as well when I received the letter because I didn’t see it coming, I didn’t expect it,” said Georgia, adding: “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.
“It’s been a good thing for not just me but for the whole family. I feel like I have to share it with my sister because, let’s face it, I don’t think I would have been nominated for it if she didn’t survive. 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.”
Esta historia es de la edición May 14, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 14, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Dozens Of Migrants Rescued After Channel Boat Capsizes
Around 80 migrants have been rescued in the English Channel after the boat they were travelling in capsized off the coast of Kent.
Alcaraz And Sinner Take The Spotlight From Old Guard
Their meeting in the French Open semis today signals an exciting new era in the men’s game, says Jamie Braidwood
Swiatek beats raging Gauff to reach French Open final
Iga Swiatek moved one step away from a fourth French Open title as Coco Gauff was reduced to tears during her semi-final exit yesterday at Roland Garros. An emotional Gauff had a blazing row with umpire Aurelie Tourte, telling the official she should be ashamed” for not overturning a call.
Grealish and Maddison out of England's Euros squad
Midfield stars missing from Gareth Southgate's final 26
FAMILIES AT WAR
‘House of the Dragon’ takes viewers back to Westeros for a second series that is rich in intrigue, writes Louis Chilton
CHAOS IN CLUBLAND
Charlie XCX slips vulnerability into disorienting bangers on 'Brat', writes Helen Brown, while 'Born in the Wild' by Tems is as assured a debut as any Roisin O'Connor has listened to
How My Fair Lady dodged the culture war kvetchers
For some, the 1964 classic is ultimately a movie about men grooming young women. But for most, its charm, style and ambiguity keep the film relevant, writes Geoffrey Macnab
Shake off those prejudices about studying Taylor Swift
Academic studies on the merits of the star’s lyrics are not the Mickey Mouse courses you might think, says Dr Clio Doyle
We must continue to teach children the lesson of D-Day
When we commemorate D-Day, what exactly are we doing? We are remembering, with great reverence, the bravery and sacrifice of an event 80 years ago: the largest amphibious invasion in history, which precipitated the liberation of France, and Nazi Germany's surrender, 11 months later.
Taliban's exclusion of girls from schools hits 1,000 days
Afghanistan is set to mark 1,000 dark days since the Taliban banned girls from attending school beyond the age of 12, dimming any prospect of women being allowed back into the formal education system in the near future.