THIS is the moment the devastated mum of a former 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 actor who was tragically 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed in Los Angeles wildfires broke down in tears.
Brit-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Rory Callum Sykes, 32, was left trapped inside a self-contained cottage in Malibu after it caught fire from flying embers.
Mum of 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 actor Rory Sykes broke down in tears while talking about her sonCredit: 9NEWS
Rory Callum Sykes (pictured with his mum) has tragically died in the LA wildfiresCredit: X
He was a former 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 actor who appeared on TVCredit: YouTube
Sykes’ death was confirmed by his mum Shelley who said he was a “wonderful” son.
In a message on social media, she described herself as “totally heartbroken” about the death of her “beautiful son”.
With a heavy heart and tears in her eyes, Ms Sykes told Channel Nine’s Today: “He was my 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦. I’m just sad we couldn’t save him.”
Ms Sykes said her son “died needlessly” after getting trapped in the cottage.
The distraught mum said she tried to put out the embers that landed on the roof of the 17-acre property with a hose but the water supply was turned off.
She was then forced to drive a quarter mile to find first responders after she reportedly failed to connect through 911.
Firefighters told her that Sykes died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
His tragic final words to her mum were: “Mum, you go, I’m staying,” before she left to call in more help.
Ms Sykes added: “I couldn’t put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off.
“When the fire department brought me back, his cottage was burnt to the ground. There was nothing we could do.
Sykes was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 blind and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Ms Sykes said her son was a “very courageous man” who had overcome huge difficulties in his life.
“He overcame so much with surgeries and therapies to regain his sight and to be able to learn how to walk,” the mum said.
“They said he’d never see or walk, and he defied all the odds,” she added.
Sykes was a former 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 actor and hosted the British RTV Show Kiddy Kapers in 1998, NewsAU reports.
His tragic death will not be counted in the official death toll until his body his found, it is understood.
VICTIMS OF LA WILDFIRES
So far, at least 16 other people have died and thousands of homes have been destroyed.
The first victim of the hell fires to be identified was Victor Shaw, who was found still holding a garden hose outside his home.
Victor, 66, stayed behind as his sister, who he shared his house of 55 years with, desperately fled at the last minute to save her life.
Shari Shaw explained how she made a mad dash for the front door when the flames from the Eaton Fire started to creep into their property, according to KTLA.
She said Victor told her he would stay behind in a heartbreaking attempt to save his place from the murderous flames.
“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari said.
“And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”
Those close to the 66-year-old revealed he suffered from health issues that made moving difficult.
Victor Shaw, 66, was tragically found dead as he still held his garden hose after the horrifying LA firesCredit: KTLADAUGHTER’S AGONY
Amputee Anthony Mitchell, 67, was tragically found dead alongside his bedridden son Justin, who was in his early 20s after the Eaton Fire raged through their home.
The wheelchair-using great-grandfather of 10 lived in Altadena with his son, who lived with cerebral palsy, Anthony’s daughter Hajime White told The Washington Post.
Hajime, who lives in Arkansas, said that her retired salesman father desperately called her on Wednesday morning as the fires came ever closer to their family home.
“He said, ‘Baby, I’m just letting you know the fire’s broke out, and we’re going to have to evacuate,’” Hajime recounted.
“Then he said, ‘I’ve got to go — the fire’s in the yard.’”
Anthony also lived with his other son Jordan, also in his 20s, but Jordan was spared this horrifying fate as he was in hospital with an infection.
Hajime revealed she was told the heartwrenching news that Anthony and Justin did not survive the terror blaze.
“He was not going to leave his son behind. No matter what,” she said.
“It’s very hard. It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me.”
Amputee Anthony Mitchell, 67, pictured, died at home with his bedridden son JustinCredit: CBSFAMILY NIGHTMARE
The family of Rodney Nickerson, 83, described their horror ordeal when they found their beloved grandfather charred inside his house.
Rodney was discovered dead in his bed on Thursday after his Altadena home was reduced to rubble and ash.
The grandfather refused to evacuate his prized home, which he bought for $5 in 1968.
His daughter Kimiko Nickerson told CBS her harrowing story while standing outside her decimated lifelong home.
“We found his bones, his whole body was there, intact,” she said.
“This is the house that I came home to as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 and I’ve been here my whole life and I don’t know anywhere else other than here — myself and my brother and my son Chase and his other grand𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.”
She described her family’s desperate plea to the 83-year-old to flee with them.
“My son tried to get him to leave and my neighbors and myself and he said he’ll be fine. ‘I’ll be here when you guys come back’ and he said his house would be here,” she added.
Rodney Nickerson, 83, was found dead at his home, and his daughter Kimiko Nickerson (right) described her horror finding out her dad’s tragic endCredit: CBS’PERFECT NEIGHBOR’
Retired pharmacist Erliene Kelly was also 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed by the wildfire in her Altadena home.
Erliene was adored by her neighbors, who called her “an angel,” according to the New York Times.
“That’s the perfect neighbor. When you see her, you have a smile,” neighbor Terry Pyburn said.
“It was panic. Everyone took off and no one thought to check on anybody,” Pyburn added.
“I think the notice came too late.”
