Brit student, 18, left with foot ‘hanging’ in croc attack after guide said it was safe to ‘take dip’ in infested river

A BRIT teen savaged by a monster crocodile in Zambia has been hailed “one hell of a brave girl” after it emerged that she fought off the beast herself.

Amelie Osborn-Smith, 18, was left fighting for her life with “a foot hanging loose” after she was horrifically attacked as she swam.

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Her father Brent revealed last night how she “fought back with great courage and refused to be subdued or taken under”.

She never shed a tear and remained conscious throughout her ordeal, even though her leg was shredded and her hip was dislocated.

Brent, 60, a medic and former Army major, said: “Amelie was part of a professionally organised white water rafting expedition on the Zambezi river, downstream from Victoria Falls.

“The group stopped for lunch in a quiet stretch, between rapids.

“They were encouraged by the guides to have a quick dip over the side, to cool off. This area was deemed to be safe.”

The raft was not moving when the group plunged in together.

“When returning to the boat, Amelie was bitten on the leg by a large crocodile, which attempted to drag her down into a characteristic death roll in order to subdue its prey,” Brent, 60, added.

Some of the group were back on the boat and others were still in the water when the attack took place at around 1.30pm local time on Tuesday.

“Amelie fought back with great courage and refused to be subdued or taken under,” Brent said.

Hero guides and fellow rafters leapt to Amelie’s aid, punching the crocodile furiously.

“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 onto the boat,” he added.

Amelie fought back with great courage and refused to be subdued or taken under

Brent Osborn-SmithAmelie's dad

“Her lower leg had been badly mauled, her hip dislocated and her right foot was left hanging loose.

“The team 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.”

They managed to raise the alarm and a chopper swooped in to the rescue.

“She was kept conscious and shielded from the very hot sun, while a helicopter casualty evacuation was set in motion,” Brent said.

She was airlifted to an aid post in the nearby town of Livingstone and then on to the capital Lusaka, 240 miles away, where she underwent “several operations” to save her right foot.

“We are extremely relieved to hear that her foot has been wonderfully saved,” Brent said.

‘AMELIE REMAINS TRAUMATISED’

One of the medics texted her dad to say: “You have one hell of a brave girl there, Sir.”

Amelie, from Hampshire, had been visiting her gran as part of a gap year adventure.

She is due to fly home on Saturday night for urgent follow-up treatment in London.

“Amelie remains traumatised and heavily sedated but we will know more about her ultimate progress in the coming days,” her dad added.

“We are humbled by and profoundly appreciative of the courage and professionalism of all those involved in Amelie’s life-saving rescue and her subsequent care and treatment.

“Amelie is a fit, intelligent, brave and conscientious individual who is extremely grateful to be alive and to have been looked after so well by all those involved in her rescue.”