Heart-stopping moment enormous crocodile chases screaming swimmer before he turns to fight beast off to escape its jaws

THIS is the heart-stopping moment a screaming swimmer was left battling in the water against an enormous crocodile.

Terrifying footage captured the man's chilling ordeal as the scaly beast chased him through a murky lagoon after sneaking up behind him.

Menacing footage showed the panicked swimmer thrashing away in the Mexican lagoon as the shadow of the monstrous reptile glided up to him before seemingly trying to grab at his leg.

The man managed to swim up to a giant stone wall as he tried to escape the clutches of the croc.

After throwing his shoes and clothes over the wall and trying to propel himself up the frantic swimmer turned on the crocodile and started to smack it on the head, the video appears to show.

The horrifying footage was filmed from bewildered onlookers who could be heard screaming "no" in terror as the man attempts to flee. 

At one point, the bloke is seen throwing his head back as he tries to build up enough confidence to hoist himself to freedom.

After a few seconds, the video then shows the man disappearing behind the wall as he lowers himself into the water. 

He soon reappears and can be seen bobbing up and down in the lagoon - looking to fight off the beast.  

Using the stone wall as leverage, the man then used his sudden burst of adrenaline from the croc attack to break free from the water and throw himself over the wall.

Once freed, the swimmer lays motionless on the roadside as he drips with a mixture of sweat and the brown water.

After taking in some very deep breaths he begins to turn around as realises hits that hes just fought against one of the wild's worst killers.

More than a minute later, the swimmer begins to get up as he pours water away from his shoes.

Standing up on slightly wobbly legs he begins to peer over the wall back into the lagoon to try and spot where the croc has gone.

Once the burst of adrenaline drains from his body the man starts to grab his arm and hip before wincing in pain.

Those filming managed to grab his attention by shouting and whistling at him before he starts to shadowbox for him - showing off his impressive fighting skills once more.

Soon after the viral clip was released, an image of the man with a nasty wound in his thigh started to circulate online.

THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL BITE 

The world's deadliest crocodile attack is believed to have seen 500 soldiers eaten alive in "a cacophony of hell" as their comrades heard them scream.

The "Ramree Island massacre" is considered by many to be the worst crocodile attack in history as roughly 100 of the reptilian beasts set upon unsuspecting troops fleeing through dark swamps.

More recently, in South Africa, a crocodile handler was poking the creature, when it suddenly got provoked and bit him in front of a crowd of people.  

The Nile Crocodile, which is known for having the world's most powerful bite, would not let go of the man. 

He clamped his jaws below the handler's waist and pulled him onto the ground.

Another crocodile joined in the attack, creating a horrifying situation.

At one point the beast released his grip, allowing the zookeeper to escape with his life.