Credit: Paige McGrew
Final Words Of Man Who Died After Firework Exploded On Head During July 4th Party
The heartbreaking final words spoken by a father before he was killed in a Fourth of July fireworks accident have been revealed.
What began as a joyful Fourth of July celebration turned into an unimaginable tragedy for one family after a lighthearted moment ended in disaster.
Allen Ray McGrew, 41, was celebrating with loved ones when he tragically lost his life. He is one of four men to have died from fireworks -related incidents over the Fourth of July weekend.
The fatal incident happened during a neighborhood block party in Summerville, in Dorchester County, South Carolina.
Videos from the celebration show McGrew in high spirits, dressed in a patriotic red, white, and blue Uncle Sam costume complete with a top hat and beard.
He could be seen dancing, smoking a cigarette, kicking his legs playfully, and entertaining family members gathered for the holiday.
At one point, someone in the background could be heard saying: “He’s dancing to his own tune,” while another person remarked that the ‘big show’ would begin shortly.
Fourth of July celebration ends in tragedy
McGrew continued joking with relatives throughout the evening before, at around 10:30pm, he began playfully handling a firework.
His wife, Paige McGrew, told The Post and Courier: “He was holding this firework over his top hat, I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground.
“I didn’t realize he had already lit it.”
She called out for him to stop, but moments later the firework exploded, causing him to collapse.
Deputies from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and emergency responders rushed to the scene after finding McGrew lying in the roadway with catastrophic head injuries, WCBD reported.
The 41-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Coroner Paul Brouthers said McGrew would have died instantly from the injuries he sustained, while a neighbor later said: “He didn’t suffer, it was quick.”
Family remembers devoted husband and father
According to his wife, McGrew was not someone who typically drank alcohol, but had been celebrating after his son, Hunter, recently became engaged.
She told The Post: “Everyone was drinking a little last night, but he didn’t drink regularly.
“He was a patriot, he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law.”
His son also spoke about the family’s grief, telling the New York Post: “We’re traumatized.”
Those closest to McGrew described him as a proud father and family man who had been enjoying an evening marking both Independence Day and an important milestone in his son’s life.
The heartbreaking final words Allen Ray McGrew shared
Perhaps the most emotional detail to emerge is the final message McGrew shared with his wife and son before the fatal accident.
According to his family, he hugged them both and said: “You are my rock, and you are my heart.”
His wife later explained during an interview: “Me being his rock and his son being his heart.”
The devastating loss came just weeks before McGrew was due to celebrate his 42nd birthday.
Firework deaths spark renewed safety concerns
McGrew’s death was one of several fatal fireworks incidents reported over the Fourth of July holiday.
According to USA Today, there were four fireworks-related deaths across the United States during this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers associated with consumer fireworks, particularly when they are handled improperly or used in unsafe ways, even during family celebrations.
In Illinois two men died from fireworks related incidents. A 34-year-old man died on Chicago’s Northwest Side, with authorities confirming he had suffered trauma to the body and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 25-year-old man also died in an incident involving illegal fireworks. Despite still being alive when ambulances arrived, he later passed away in hospital.
Meanwhile, in Alabama, a 20-year-old man died after suffering trauma to the upper torso. After being transferred to Huntsville Hospital, he was tragically pronounced dead.
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