Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes has witnessed the tragic drowning of four teenagers off a beach in South Africa.
The 49-year-old had gone out for a run after arriving in the country when she watched as the youngsters got into trouble off Rocklands Beach in western Cape town.
She wrote on social media: "I only arrived this morning but wanted to get out in the sun.
"I was on my way back five miles into my run and I heard all this screaming.
"A couple of guys were running into the beach and into the sea.
"I ran to the barrier and could see the kids in trouble.
"Two guys swam out to the two of the kids who were struggling and tried to bring them in.
"But the waves were too fierce and the guys started struggling.
"Some other guys were scrambling on the rocks but there was no way they could get in as the waves kept bashing them back.
"A girl who was nearer to the shore was trying to get out but the current and undergrowth was too bad, she didn't make it.
“I seriously cannot believe what I witness and I was totally helpless. I just shows in a blink of an eye anything can happen.”
It is understood the teens who died had been living at a near centre for refugees.
Police said they had recovered the bodies of an 18-year-old male from Burundi, a 16-year-old male from the Congo, a 15-year-old male from Burundi and a 15-year-old female from Congo.
Dame Kelly wrote: "I know I could not have done anymore to assist to bring a better outcome and I will try and focus on that, so this does not become a trauma in my mind."
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