The Foreign Office has said it is supporting a family after two British sisters were taken to hospital in Mexico after being attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a lagoon at night.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office told Sky News: "We are supporting the family of two British women who are in hospital in Mexico, and are in contact with the local authorities."

Twins Melissa and Georgia Laurie, 28, were swimming in Manialtepec Lagoon, near Puerto Escondido about 450 miles (724km) southeast of Mexico City.

It is reported that Melissa was dragged under the water by the animal and her sister found her face-down on the surface several minutes later.

The pair's father Sean Laurie said Georgia tried to bring Melissa back to their boat but the crocodile attacked again.Advertisement

Mr Laurie told the Daily Mail: "Georgia had to fight it off. She kept punching it in the head."

Their mother Sue Laurie said both sisters were rushed to hospital after sustaining bite injuries, with Melissa placed into a medically-induced coma.

Mrs Laurie said: "Melissa is alive, but we don't know if her injuries are life-threatening or not.

"She has water on her lungs and she has been coughing up blood. So we don't know if she has a punctured lung or not."

The sisters, who have been backpacking around the world, were visiting the tourist site with a tour company and had reportedly been told it was safe to go in the water.