Hero mum may have been killed by croc that tore her leg off rather than shark as she saved daughter, 5, yards off beach

A HERO mum who saved her five-year-old from a shark attack may have been killed by a crocodile instead.

A young mum had her leg torn off as she swam her daughter off a Mexican beach.

Maria Fernandez Martinez Jimenez, 26, was just 65ft from the shore when she was savaged by a beast at Melaque Beach in the state of Jalisco.

The tourist was helped to safety as rescue crews rushed to the scene following the attack on Saturday.

Initially, the fatal incident was put down as a shark attack, but now the authorities suspect it could have been a crocodile.

Local residents claim there had never been sightings of sharks approaching humans in the area.

In a graphic footage, Maria appears to be lying on the sand surrounded by the terrified bystanders.

The onlookers could be heard screaming "She's lost her leg" as they waited for paramedics to arrive.

Despite the quick response from doctors, the young mother died of blood loss from the massive bite wound.

Civil Protection workers and firefighters in the municipality of Cihuatlan said: "Our officials were carrying out support activities during a swimming event in the bay when they received reports of a person who was having problems getting out of the sea.

"When they reached the area they discovered a woman who was lifeless with one of her legs amputated, apparently following a shark attack."

Miraculously, Maria's daughter survived the incident despite being beside her mother in the water on Mexico's Pacific Coast.

The motherly instinct saved the youngster's life as the tourist placed her child on a floating play platform after becoming aware she was in danger.

Organisers have suspended a swimming competition due to take place in the same waters.

The local authorities have issued a warning for tourists and residents to stay out of waters until the danger has passed.

Cihuatlan’s municipal government said: "Following the terrible incident off one of our beaches, our priority is guaranteeing the safety and wellbeing of all our citizens.

"That’s why we’ve decided on a precautionary measure of banning access to beaches until further notice.

"We are working in collaboration with the appropriate authorities to evaluate the situation and take the necessary measures to guarantee security on our beaches."

Following the tragic death, wellwishers placed flowers for the victim at the makeshift altar on the spot where she passed away.

Maria was a former marine biology student at the University of Guadalajara.

In a Facebook eulogy, the university chiefs wrote: "We express our condolences following this irreparable loss."

Her university peer posted her photo with a tribute message: "I want to express my condolences, affection and support for Maria's family following her death.

"I am accompanying this wonderful family I feel as my own in their pain and anguish. I am with you. Rest in peace Maria."

Shark attacks are rare in Mexico.

Recently, a newlywed woman was brutally killed in shark attack in the Bahamas.

Similarly, in Australia a man in his 20s was airlifted to hospital after being mauled by a shark in a horror attack on the remote island.