Former Australian child star Rory Sykes, who was blind and had cerebral palsy, tragically died in the California wildfires as his mother was unable to save him from their burning home. The heartbreaking news was shared by his mother Shelley Sykes on social media, describing Rory as a wonderful son. Rory, aged 32, lived in a cottage on his family’s Malibu estate, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire that broke out on Tuesday.
Shelley Sykes recounted how she tried to save Rory, but was unable to extinguish the flames on his roof due to a lack of water. Despite sustaining a broken arm, she refused to leave Rory, who urged her to go for help. When she sought assistance from the local fire department, they were unable to provide water and upon their return, the cottage had burned to the ground.
Firefighters informed Shelley that Rory had died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the wildfire, although his death has not been officially included in the wildfire death toll. The devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area have claimed at least 11 lives and continue to burn through thousands of acres. Shelley’s heart-wrenching account of her son’s tragic passing highlights the urgency and devastation caused by the wildfires, leaving many mourning the loss of loved ones like Rory Sykes.
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