On a relaxing getaway that turned into a nightmare, an 18-year-old girl from California was attacked by a 12-foot-long crocodile while on vacation in Mexico earlier this month.
The incident happened at the Marriott resort in Puerto Vallarta just before midnight when Kiana Hummel and her friend decided to go swimming late. Hummel told ABC7 that they hadn’t even entered the water when the crocodile emerged, grabbed her by the right leg, and pushed her into the water.
Hummel’s quick thinking and calm after the attack saved her life. She said that she repeatedly hit the crocodile as hard as she could while being dragged underwater. The reptile finally released her right leg and, while trying to escape, grabbed her by her left ankle and dragged her back into the water.
Sarah Laney, a passerby from St. Louis, heard Hummel screaming for help. She said she and her friends ran to help. The group was able to make the alligator drop Hummel’s leg and return it to safety, KFSN reported.
“I just remember saying please don’t leave me,” Hummel said, adding, “And I didn’t think I was going to come out that second time. That was really bad. “
Laney said: “It was definitely one of the craziest and scariest things I’ve ever experienced… Honestly, I’ll never forget it when the crocodile’s head came out above the water. I went into a state of shock. “
Hummel had extensive muscle and tissue damage down to the bone, but she did not lose any limbs and is currently unable to walk.
“I’m on the phone with her, she screams, ‘Get me an ambulance, bring me an ambulance to the hospital,’” said Ariana Martínez, who found out about the attack on her daughter on Facetime. “It took forever,” she added, ABC7 reported.
Laney, who stayed with Hummel after the attack, said it took 45 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Martinez said the hospital asked them to pay thousands of dollars before receiving any treatment.
According to Hummel, Martinez, and Laney, the hotel did not take sufficient measures to warn guests of the presence of crocodiles in the ocean.
However, Marriott spokeswoman Kerstin Sachl, in a statement to ABC7, said: “The safety of our guests and associates is our top priority. We can confirm that the proper signage, as well as night patrols and flags, were and are correctly placed. “
In June, two British sisters vacationing in Oaxaca were also attacked by a crocodile during a night swim. Melissa Laurie, 28, was swimming in a lagoon at night with her twin sister Georgia on a beach located about 10 miles from the city of Puerto Escondido, a popular surf resort with British tourists, when the crocodile attacked, grabbing Melissa and dragged her under the water.
Trending News
Why 35 Businesses Closed in Vallarta’s Tourist District At least 35 businesses have closed in Centro and the Romantic Zone since late May as weak tourism, high rents and water outages add pressure.
Who May Be Held Responsible After Vallarta Water Outage SEAPAL is preparing a legal case after highway pipeline delays disrupted water service across 40 percent of Puerto Vallarta.
Can Puerto Vallarta’s Tourism Slump Turn This Winter? A public forum at La Catrina Cantina will weigh business closures, weaker airport traffic and short-term rental demand in Puerto Vallarta.
How Foreigners Can Register a Mexican Cellphone Line Mexico is suspending unregistered prepaid lines. Here is how foreign residents and visitors can register safely with a passport or CURP.
Puerto Vallarta Weather Today – August 22, 2026 Puerto Vallarta expects a hot, humid Saturday with showers, afternoon thunderstorms, localized flooding risk and 1–2 meter coastal waves.
Puerto Vallarta Airport Daily Flight Report – August 22, 2026 PVR lists 47 arrivals and 47 departures on August 22. No delays or cancellations were posted at 6:58 a.m.; afternoon storms remain possible.
Peso Extends Winning Streak as Dollar Slips Below 17 The peso enters the weekend near 16.92 per dollar after a fifth weekly gain, supported by a softer dollar and Banxico’s steady rate.
Puerto Vallarta Airport Daily Flight Report – August 21, 2026 PVR lists 35 arrivals and 35 departures for August 21, with one confirmed delay, no verified cancellations, and evening thunderstorms possible.
Twelve CJNG suspects arrested as Vallarta stays alert Federal forces arrested 12 alleged CJNG members in Michoacán as Puerto Vallarta maintained preventive patrols at key sites.
Pacific cyclone odds rise as Jalisco faces heavy rain A Pacific disturbance now has an 80% development chance, while Puerto Vallarta’s immediate weather risk remains heavy rain, not cyclone impact.
