A South Carolina father wearing a stars and stripes costume and a top hat placed a lit firework over his head Thursday just before it exploded, killing him instantly, officials and family members said.
Allen Ray McGrew, 41, reportedly wanted to “show off” by hosting a fireworks display for neighbors on the Fourth of July at a neighborhood party in the Town of Somerville.
According to the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, McGrew suffered fatal head injuries after witnesses told authorities he lit a large firework and strangely placed it on his head around 10:30 p.m. According to WCBD.
According to the sheriff’s office, the victim’s wife told officers she thought her husband was trying to “make a show” after family members pleaded with him to stop.
He died at the scene.
“He had fireworks on his top hat,” Paige McGrew said. Postal and courier services.
“Before I put it on the ground I thought they were just showing it off. I didn’t realise they had already set it on fire.”
According to a police report obtained by the newspaper, the incident happened after he had been drinking for several hours.
McGrew, a father of a recently engaged son, loves the Fourth of July and wore a new Uncle Sam costume to a neighborhood party.
“Allen was so excited about the holiday,” his wife told The Post and Courier.
“He was a patriot. He was proud of his son and excited to welcome his new bride. He was living his best life last night.”
She reportedly said she would remember him as a “good, genuine person who loved life.”
“He worked hard,” she said of the HVAC worker, “and played hard.”
