The disabled man is a former child star
Rory was born with cerebral palsy and was blind.
Despite these challenges, he lived a full life and was known for his appearances on the Australian TV show “Kiddy Kapers.”
His mother, Shelley Sykes, described him as a wonderful son who overcame many obstacles.
Rory had undergone several surgeries and therapies to help him see and walk, and he often spoke about his dreams of traveling the world with his mother.
Mother reveals heartbreaking final moments of disabled son before dying in LA wildfires
On the day of the fire, Rory was at home when flames quickly surrounded his cottage.
Shelley, who was suffering from a broken arm at the time, rushed to get help for her son.
She struggled to reach emergency services, as the phone lines were down.
In desperation, she drove to her local fire station, which was only a short distance away.
Unfortunately, when she arrived, she was shocked to learn that the firefighters had no water available to fight the blaze.
In a heartbreaking moment, Rory told his mother, “Mum, leave me.”
Shelley was unable to lift him due to her injury, and no mother should have to make such a choice.
She returned to find that her son’s cottage had been reduced to ashes.
Rory tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
‘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,’ she revealed.
‘He was my baby, and he died needlessly,’ the mother added. ‘Guess what didn’t work? 911. All the phone lines were down.’
