‘I’m ashamed’: Olympian Wu’s hell over sister’s death

Diver Melissa Wu has broken down after revealing the one big regret she has over the shocking death of her younger sister.

Olympic medallist Melissa Wu and Supercars television presenter Riana Crehan have broken down on SAS Australia as they revealed the devastating effects alcohol and suicide have had on their private lives.

The pair spoke of their pain with their fellow contestants in an emotionally charged episode that saw them lay bare their personal traumas.

Wu, who represented Australia in diving, broke down as she revealed the pain of her younger sister Kirsten ’s suicide in 2014.

At the time Wu have moved away to pursue her career in diving.

Melissa Wu has told of her pain over her sister’s tragic death.

“None of us really knew exactly what she was feeling and she ended up committing suicide.

“I just feel of everybody in the family, I’m the one who should have understood how she was feeling.

“And what she was going through but because I made to a decision to do something for me … it meant I sacrificed time with my sister that I can never get back.

“I’m ashamed that I couldn’t do anything to help her or be with her when she needed me.”

Olympic diver Melissa Wu at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Toby Zerna

The super-fit Crehan – who is married to Supercars Will Davison – sobbed as she spoke about her dad’s “unexpected” death last year after his long battle with depression and alcohol.

“It was really unexpected,” she told her fellow recruits who also shed tears at her heartache.

“His heart just gave up. he had a long battle with depression and alcohol.

Riana Crean has opened up about her private pain. Picture: 7/Remco Jansen

“I loved him so much but I was really angry at him for the way he was for most of his life.

“I was so stubborn that at my wedding that I wouldn’t let him be involved because I didn’t want him to ruin my f**king day.

“And that was the last time I saw him.

“I was just really pissed off that I had to make those choices because the next time I got a phone call, he was unconscious … and that’s really hard to carry”.

Riana Crehan and husband Will Davison.

After heading to bed to recover from the challenges of the day, the recruits were woken just before midnight and summoned to the parade square for a brutal and freezing beating.

Paired up, the recruits could quit by ringing the bell three times – the catch, their partner had to quit too.

Round after round of diving into icy water and then put through their paces with exhausting drills, Anna Heinrich was close to calling time on her stint on the show, but did not want to end partner Locky Gilbert’s also.

“If I quit, you have to go too?” she checked, before managing to push on through verging on hypothermia as the tortuous exercise was ended.

SAS Australia returns Tuesday, 7.30pm, Seven

Lifeline provides 24-hour confidential crisis support. If you need help, call 13 11 14. If a life is at risk, call triple-0.

Originally published as ‘I’m ashamed’: Olympian Wu’s hell over sister’s death