Woman who punched crocodile among those on king’s first civilian gallantry list
A woman who punched a crocodile in the snout to save her sister is among the recipients of bravery awards included on the king’s first civilian gallantry list.
Georgia Laurie attacked the reptile when it went for her twin, Melissa, dragging her underwater while they were swimming in a lagoon near Puerto Escondido, Mexico, in June 2021. Both sisters were seriously hurt but survived.
Georgia, 31, from Sandhurst in Berkshire, will receive the Gallantry Medal, which acknowledges exemplary acts of bravery. She described the award as “a silver lining” to their traumatic ordeal.
“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,” she said. “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.”
Also to receive the medal is PC Zach Printer, who confronted the gunman Jake Davison while unarmed on August 2021 in Keyham, Plymouth. Davison killed his mother, Maxine, 51, and then shot dead Sophie Martyn, three, her father, Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66, before killing himself.
PC Steven Denniss, who was stabbed in the leg while apprehending the double murder suspect Daniel Boulton while off duty in Louth, Lincolnshire, in June 2021, is also recognised. Boulton was wanted for the murder of his former girlfriend Bethany Vincent, 26, and her nine-year-old son, Darren Henson, and was later jailed for 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.
Lawrie Elsdon-Dew is recognised for protecting others during fierce fighting outside the British embassy in Sudan in April 2023, and Stacey Farrington and Jake Walker for stopping 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 Jagatia, who helped people out of a burning hotel in Mati, Greece, in July 2018, and Paul Martin, who intervened during a knife attack in April 2021, also receive recognition.
