Los Angeles wildfires: Mum’s heartbreaking tribute to Australian son Rory Callum Sykes killed in fires
An Australian man caught up in the ferocious Los Angeles wildfire has died after a blaze tore through his home, his devastated mother revealing she was unable to save him because of her broken arm.
Shelley Sykes said her 32-year-old son Rory Callum Sykes was killed on Wednesday when the fire incinerated their 6.8ha property in Malibu.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday,” she wrote on X.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I’m totally heartbroken. British-born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas (sic) birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum Sykes.”
Ms Sykes said her son was born blind, with cerebral palsy and had difficulty walking.
She said she made phone calls to 911 but the calls did not connect.
“He said ‘Mum, leave me’ and no mum could leave their kid,” she told Ten.
“I’ve got a broken arm, I couldn’t lift him. I couldn’t move him.”
Ms Sykes said she could not put the cinders out on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off, and when she drove to the nearest fire station she was told there were no water reserves in the local fire hydrants.
She said by the time the firefighters escorted her back to the property, armed only with axes to stop the flames, “his cottage was burnt to the ground”.
The mother also said cadaver dogs would need to find her son’s remains in the ashes and rubble of his home before his death was considered part of the official toll.
“He was my baby, and he died needlessly,” she said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to a family who was impacted by disaster.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” the spokesperson said.
“The Consulate-General in Los Angeles is continuing to monitor the wildfires across California, including information on evacuation orders and warnings, as well as evacuation shelters.
“We encourage Australians to keep informed and stay safe by following the advice of local authorities and subscribe to Smartraveller for updates.”
According to his website, Mr Sykes hosted British RTV Show Kiddy Kapers and later performed Singing in the Rain at the Sydney Opera House during a short-lived career as a child actor and model.
In later years, Mr Sykes was an online gamer, philanthropist and public speaker.
He co-founded the Happy Charity alongside his mother in 2005, fundraising for sick children globally.
At least 11 people have been killed since wildfires began around Los Angeles on Thursday, with more than 10,000 structures razed.
