Olympic hero James Cracknell's terror at raid on family while he was in hospital
OLYMPIC rowing hero James Cracknell last night described as “terrifying” a raid on his house as his wife and children slept.
A gang stole personal possessions including family pictures in a £20,000 swoop.
Cracknell, 41, was in hospital at the time undergoing treatment on a brain injury.
Sports presenter Beverley and their children Croyde, 10, Kiki, four, and Trixie, three, were at home.
Four top-of-the-range bicycles and a camera were stolen.
Cracknell, who won Olympic gold in the coxless fours in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004, said: “It’s terrifying to think thieves broke into my home while I was away and my family were sleeping upstairs.
“I am especially upset about a camera which has gone containing irreplaceable family photos.”
Beverley said: “I’m just grateful that my children were not hurt.”
Cracknell has suffered health problems, including epilepsy and memory loss, since a cycling accident in Arizona three years ago.
He was staying overnight at Charing Cross Hospital when the raid took place in Chiswick, west London.
Metropolitan Police are investigating the break-in.
Cracknell will be a Tory candidate for South-west England in next May’s European elections.