Twin who fought crocodile attacking her sister on King’s first gallantry list

Georgia Laurie, 31, from Sandhurst in Berkshire, punched the reptile in the face when it attacked her twin Melissa while they were in Mexico in June 2021. Both women were seriously hurt but survived after treatment, and now Georgia will receive the King’s Gallantry Medal, which acknowledges exemplary acts of bravery. Ms Laurie said: “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.”

Twins Melissa and Georgia Laurie at their home in Sandhurst, Berkshire (Aaron Chown/PA)

She went on: “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.” The twins were swimming in a lagoon near Puerto Escondido when Melissa was dragged under the water.

Melissa survived with an open fracture to her wrist, severe puncture wounds to the abdomen and many injuries to her leg and foot, while Georgia was bitten on her hand. Georgia added: “The further away it gets, the less it feels real. “But then something like this happens and it puts it all back into perspective again, like wow, that actually did happen, it’s a crazy story.

“Because when you think about it, it does sound like a horror movie, but it is a part of our life, it’s part of the tapestry of our life.” Also set to receive the medal is Pc Zach Printer, who confronted gunman Jake Davison unarmed on August 12 2021 in Keyham, Plymouth. Davison killed his mother Maxine, 51, and then shot dead three-year-old Sophie Martyn, her father Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66.

Pc Printer was attending to Mrs Shepherd when he saw Davison carrying the firearm, immediately sprinting towards the 22-year-old, telling him to stand still, hoping that he could talk him down. Davison – who had his pump-action shotgun positioned under his chin – pulled the trigger and slumped to the ground. The officer was acknowledged for his “selfless and brave actions” while confronting Davison, which prevented further harm to others.

Among the other recipients is Pc Steven Denniss, who was stabbed in the leg while apprehending a double murder suspect while off duty in Louth, Lincolnshire, on June 1 2021. Pc Denniss was walking his dog at Hubbard’s Hills when he spotted Daniel Boulton, who was wanted for the murder of his former girlfriend Bethany Vincent, 26, and her nine-year-old son Darren Henson the previous evening. Without any protective equipment, Pc Denniss attempted to detain Boulton until colleagues arrived, and was stabbed by him while on the phone to police.

The officer chased Boulton until he was joined by armed officers, before the suspect was arrested and later charged and jailed for life with a minimum term of 40 years. This year’s Civilian Gallantry List, which includes nine people, is the first to be approved by the King. Also on the list are Lawrie Elsdon-Dew, for protecting others during fierce fighting outside the British embassy in Sudan in April 2023, and Stacey Farrington and Jake Walker, who stopped a speeding car travelling the wrong way on a motorway using an ambulance.

The King’s Commendation for Bravery goes to Stephen Ellison, who rescued a stranger from a river in Chongqing, China, in November 2020. Chhaganlal Jagaita, who helped people out of a burning hotel in Mati, Greece, in July 2018, and Paul Martin, who intervened during a knife attack on April 14 2021, also receive recognition. Mr Jagaita, 81, of Egham, Surrey, told PA: “To receive this will be wonderful for me and my family, I did not expect it.”

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “It is impossible not to be moved by the stories of those receiving the gallantry awards today.

Their acts of bravery have saved lives in impossible circumstances.

“I commend them on what they have done and congratulate them for receiving this honour.”