DIED ALONE
A MAN killed in Australia’s bushfires warned of apocalyptic conditions in a chilling final Facebook post.
Barry Parsons – described as a “loner” who lived in a tin shed in the bush – was the fourth victim of the deadly infernos ravaging New South Wales.
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Authorities warned today of worsening weather conditions to come, as nearly 70 active fires burned throughout the state.
Before his death, Parsons, 58, posted on Facebook, late on Friday night, that he was alone and scared in an isolated area near Kempsey, north of Sydney.
Heartbreakingly he added: "Seriously looks and sounds like apocolyse [sic] out there. F***ed up being on your own in these times."
He wrote about "Mandarin skies" and it being "downright apocalyptic".
When a pal asked him about evacuating from his shed, Parsons replied that he "wouldn't have a clue which way to turn if the s*** hit the fan. I swear it's spooky as f***."
With his friends unable to contact him over the weekend, because the power was out, and the phone lines cut off, one pal voiced their fears on Facebook: "He's in trouble I think."
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New South Wales police said that his body was found by local residents shortly before midnight on Wednesday.
ABC News confirmed that the body found in burnt-out bushland has been identified as Parsons.
He was described as a "loner" by mates, who paid tribute and apologised for not being able to help him, reports Channel 7 News.
The broadcaster said that Parsons was known in the area for supporting efforts to legalise medicinal cannabis.
One person wrote on Facebook: "I can't possibly imagine what you felt and endured, in the midst of a blazing inferno, before leaving for a much better place."
Another pal paid tribute to Parsons as a "wonderful, witty, caring and intelligent human".
"HEARTBREAKING"
NSW Water, Property and Housing Minister, Melinda Pavey, said: "Truly sad and heartbreaking news this morning.
"The police have informed me an investigation is underway after a man's body was found in burnt-out bushland north-west of Kempsey last night.
"The man was last seen on Friday."
Parsons' death follows those of Vivian Chaplain, 69, Julie Fletcher, 63 and George Nole.
The NSW Rural Fire Service said the blaze which killed Parsons had already razed nearly 95,000 hectares.
Rural Fire Service Deputy Commissioner, Rob Rogers, warned the battle to contain the blazes was far from over, as weather conditions are predicted to "start to warm up tomorrow, into the weekend and then heating up early next week, [with] a return to more gusty conditions.
"We're in for the long haul."
SCHOOLS SHUT
More than 60 schools and colleges have been closed as a result of the fire threat.
At least 50 homes were damaged or destroyed in New South Wales on Tuesday alone, by wildfires that had burnt into the suburbs of Sydney.
There's been a terrible toll, too, on wildlife, with gut-wrenching footage showing a burnt koala being given water.
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News.com.au reports that the injured animal was found in a desperate state in the Bellangry State Forest.
A man gave her water from a cup to try and save her.
The Koala Hospital Port Macquarie posted on Facebook that the passerby had done the "right thing by gently capturing her, using a big blanket, and (bringing) her to us.
"Kate (the koala) has burns to hands, feet, face, and full singeing of her body."
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Heartbreaking video of injured koala being given a drink of water after being rescued from Australian bushfire