British former child star dies of carbon monoxide poisoning after ‘water shut off’ during LA wildfires
A British former child star has died due to carbon monoxide poisoning during the Los Angeles wildfires.
Rory Callum Sykes, 32, known for appearing on the 1990’s Kiddie Kapers show, died of carbon monoxide poisoning at his family’s home in Malibu on Wednesday.
His mother Shelley Sykes said that her son’s cottage caught on fire, and the flames could not be put out because their water had been shut off.
Shelley attempted to save Rory, who was born blind and with cerebral palsy, but could not lift him due to her broken arm.
After failing to reach emergency services, she rushed to seek help from the local fire department but returned to find the cottage destroyed.
Speaking to Australia’s 10 News First, the tearful mum said: “He said, ‘mum leave me’ and no mum can leave their kid. And I’ve got a broken arm, I couldn’t lift him, I couldn’t move him.”
In a social media message, Shelley described her son as “beautiful”, and said she was “totally heartbroken”.
“I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by Las Virgenes Municipal Water,” she said.
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“Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day!”
She added: “He was my baby and he died needlessly.”
The mum was later told her son had died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“I didn’t want any pain for my baby,” she told 10 News First.
Rory Sykes has reportedly not been yet included in the official death toll from the fires, which currently stands at 13.
However, the number is expected to rise after cadaver dogs go through the ruins of the devastated neighbourhoods.
California governor Gavin Newsom has announced an independent investigation after the fire hydrants used to tackle wildfires ran dry.
Tanks with water were emptied due to what authorities say was “tremendous demand”, with some residents attempting to put out the flames with water from their pools and garden hoses.
Rory Sykes, who described himself as a motivational speaker, was also a consultant for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Tony Robbins Foundation.
He and his mother founded the Happy Charity together,to bring “hope, happiness and health to those that are hurting”.
“[He] was born blind with cerebral palsy & had difficulty walking. He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk,” said Shelley, who wrote a book about her son’s recovery.
“Despite the pain, he still enthused about travelling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica.”
She added: “He will be incredibly missed by [his] mama his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie & all his online fans around the world.”
Shelley is reportedly looking to take legal action over Rory’s death, although it is unclear if this would be against local authorities or the water company.