Hampshire teenager dragged underwater by 10-foot crocodile
She suffered serious injuries to her leg and foot
Last updated 3rd Dec 2021
An 18-year-old girl from Hampshire was attacked and pulled underwater by a crocodile 1.5 times the length of a king-sized bed.
Amelie Osborn-Smith, from Andover, was reportedly latched on to by the animal when whitewater rafting on the Zambezi river, near the Victoria Falls in Zambia.
Her father, Brent Osborn-Smith, said his daughter and her friends fought off the crocodile, and Amelie was saved when one of them apparently hit it on the nose.
Mr Osborn-Smith told the BBC that the creature "attempted to drag her down into a characteristic death roll in order to subdue its prey".
"Amelie fought back with great courage and refused to be subdued or taken under", he added.
"Due to the quick thinking and intervention of all those on board, the reptile's attack was repulsed and Amelie was then brought quickly back on to the boat.
"Her lower leg had been badly mauled, her hip dislocated and her right foot badly injured.
"The team all pulled together with a strong sense of urgency and administered effective first aid, particularly in relation to potential blood loss.
"Amelie remained calm and collected throughout and the crew were amazed that she didn't even shed a tear."
Amelie was initially taken to Zambia's capital, Lusaka, to receive medical attention, but is now set to return to the UK for specialist care.