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The heartbreaking final words of a father who died after setting off a large firework on his head during a 4th of July party have been revealed.
As previously reported, Allen Ray McGrew died in July 2024 after celebrations went tragically wrong.
The devastating incident took place at a neighborhood block party in Summerville, Dorchester County, where videos shared online showed the happy 41-year-old, from South Carolina, smoking a cigarette and dancing while dressed in an Uncle Sam costume.
In one clip, friends and family were heard laughing as Allen celebrated his favorite holiday.
“He’s dancing to his own tune,” one person said, while another chimed in that the “big show” would be starting soon.
However, the festivities were soon to take a sudden and devastating turn when the HVAC worker started to "show off" by holding a firework "over his top hat" at around 10.30PM, his wife Paige McGrew told The Post and Courier.
"I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it," she told the publication.
She said she told her husband to stop when the fireworks suddenly went off and he collapsed, according to the police report obtained by WCBD.
The firecracker caused head injuries that likely killed McGrew immediately and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.10PM.
“We’re traumatized,” Allen's son, Hunter McGrew, then 20, told The New York Post.
Allen's grieving family also spoke out against any negative portrayal, saying that he was not a “drunken fool". They said the father rarely drank alcohol but did that day, not only to celebrate Independence Day but also his son’s recent engagement.
"He was a patriot, he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night," Paige said, per The Post.
“He loved this country and looked forward to celebrating every year."
She also revealed that before the fatal accident, her husband embraced her and her son, and said: "You are my rock, and you are my heart," adding: “Me being his rock and his son being his heart.”
In an interview with The Post and Courier, Paige recalled how Allen had gone all out for July 4 by wearing a costume as well as a fake white beard. She also remembered him appearing at her office in the full outfit, saying: "I was on the phone with a client and I just lost it, I was laughing so hard.
"I had to tell her what was going on. That was Allen. He was a genuine, good person and he loved life. He worked hard and he played hard," she said.
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The heartwrenching final words from the father who died after igniting a large firework on his head have been revealed.
As previously reported, Allen Ray McGrew tragically lost his life while he had been celebrating the 4th of July on Thursday.
The devastating incident took place at a neighborhood block party in Summerville, Dorchester County.
Videos shared online show the happy 41-year-old, from South Carolina, smoking a cigarette and dancing while dressed in an Uncle Sam costume.
In one clip, friends and family were heard laughing as Allen celebrated his favorite holiday. “He’s dancing to his own tune,” one person said, while another chimed in that the “big show” would be starting soon.
The festive mood suddenly took a heartbreaking turn when the HVAC worker started to "show off" by holding a firework "over his top hat" at around 10.30PM, his wife Paige McGrew told The Post and Courier.
"I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it," the woman told the publication.
The bereaved woman told Allen to stop when the fireworks suddenly went off and he collapsed, according to the police report obtained by WCBD.
The exploding device caused head injuries that likely killed McGrew immediately. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.10PM.
“We’re traumatized,” Allen's son, Hunter McGrew, 20, told The New York Post.
Allen's grieving family has now spoken out against any negative portrayal, saying that he was not a “drunken fool".
They said the father rarely drank alcohol but did that day not only to celebrate Independence Day but also his son’s recent engagement.
"He was a patriot, he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night," Paige said, per The Post. “He loved this country and looked forward to celebrating every year."
The 53-year-old also revealed that before the fatal accident, her husband embraced her and her son, and said: "You are my rock, and you are my heart," adding: “Me being his rock and his son being his heart.”
In an interview with The Post and Courier, Paige recalled how Allen had gone all out for July 4 by wearing a costume as well as a fake white beard.
She also remembered him appearing at her office in the full outfit, saying: "I was on the phone with a client and I just lost it, I was laughing so hard.
"I had to tell her what was going on. That was Allen. He was a genuine, good person and he loved life. He worked hard and he played hard," she said.
Our thoughts are with Allen's family and friends at this time.
A father has died after igniting a large firework on his head during the July 4 celebrations.
Allen Ray McGrew had been celebrating the 4th of July at a neighborhood block party in Summerville, Dorchester County.
Footage shared online shows the 41-year-old, from South Carolina, donning a stars and stripes Uncle Sam outfit, and dancing as he celebrated the holiday.
The festive mood suddenly turned tragic when Allen - who was intoxicated - started to "show off" by holding a firework "over his top hat" at around 10.30PM, his wife Paige McGrew told The Post and Courier.
Speaking to the outlet, Paige revealed: "I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it."
Paige told Allen to stop when the exploding device suddenly burst and he fell on the ground, according to the police report obtained by WCBD.
The man was found lying dead on the road by deputies who rushed to the scene after the party came to an abrupt end. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.10PM.
Coroner Paul Brouthers revealed the firework caused massive head injuries that would have ended Allen's life immediately.
Paige shared that her husband loved Independence Day, adding: "He was a patriot, he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night."
The grieving wife recalled how Allen had gone all out for the special occasion by wearing a costume as well as a fake white beard.
She also remembered him appearing at her office in the full outfit, saying: "I was on the phone with a client and I just lost it, I was laughing so hard.
"I had to tell her what was going on. That was Allen. He was a genuine, good person and he loved life. He worked hard and he played hard," she said.
A few neighbors who spoke to the Post and Courier remembered Allen as a kind man who was always willing to help others.
One person told the outlet that Wednesday had been the first time he mowed his lawn because Allen would usually take it upon himself to do it.
Another neighbor added: "He was the nicest guy. He was the kind of guy you want for a neighbor."
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident.
Our thoughts are with Allen's family and friends at this time.
The family of a "showboating" man who died after putting fireworks on his head has spoken out.
Authorities confirmed that Allen Ray McGrew from South Carolina was killed instantly last Thursday after placing a firework on his head moments before it exploded.
As per a video taken just hours before tragedy struck, the father was seen donning a classic Uncle Sam costume with red and white-striped dungarees and an American t-shirt underneath in homage to the Fourth of July celebrations last week.
On his head was a matching hat and he finished the look with a white beard strapped across his face while he set up a firework display for his family, as well as the neighbors in the area.
However, what was supposed to be a happy night filled with celebrations ended most tragically after Allen strangely decided to put a lit firework on top of his head at approximately 10:30PM.
Within seconds, the fireball exploded and the 41-year-old was killed right in front of a crowd of spectators, including his family.
The police were called to the scene at Cottonwood Drive though they could not save him.
Speaking of the harrowing incident, his wife, Paige Morris McGrew told The Post and Courier that her husband was "showing off" after having a few drinks earlier in the night.
"He was holding this firework over his top hat,” Paige said. "I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it."
While the family is devastated at the loss of their loved one, they look back on his antics fondly and always remember him by his boundless joy.
“Allen loved this holiday," Paige added. "He was a patriot; he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night."
As per the outlet, Coroner Paul Brouthers said the exploding device caused massive head injuries that would have killed McGrew immediately.
He was officially pronounced dead at the scene at 11:10PM.
Allen's son, 20-year-old Hunter McGrew, told The New York Post that the family is "traumatized," after witnessing such a horrific ordeal, adding that any portrayal of his dad as a "drunken fool" is a lie.
Paige also revealed to the outlet that her husband had delivered a kind message to her just before his death - a message that she will remember for the rest of her life.
"Just before the incident happened, he hugged me and his son and said, ‘You are my rock, and you are my heart,'" she recalled to the outlet. "Me being his rock and his son being his heart."
The couple married just last year after being together since at least 2017 and exchanged vows in 2023.
Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
An 11-year-old Indiana boy has died after sustaining injuries from fireworks.
As reported by ABC News, authorities have confirmed that 11-year-old Camrynn Ray McMichael died on Sunday night (July 3) - the night before Independence Day celebrations.
On Monday, the Indiana State Police confirmed that the child - from Mount Vernon, Indiana - was injured at 9:42PM on Sunday night. Dispatchers in Posey County shortly received a call about the incident.
Camrynn died while en route to a nearby hospital.
Sergeant Todd Ringle of the Indiana State Police has also revealed that Camrynn was the only child present among a group of adults as they ignited fireworks, per TODAY.
In a statement to ABC Evansville affiliate WEHT, the boy's mother, Kyrra Lynn, said that he had been playing with fireworks and then was "gone ... in the blink of an eye".
More on this story below:His mom also told WXIN-TV of Indianapolis" "He died being a boy and playing with fireworks.
"A tragic freak accident, seriously. Fireworks are no joke, and when you think it won’t be yours, in the blink of an eye it is.”
An investigation into the boy's death is being carried out by state police. An autopsy is currently set for Tuesday (July 5).
Lynn described him as a protective older brother and hard-working student who adored sports like soccer, football, and basketball.
Speaking to TODAY Parents, the mom said: "He was dedicated, hard working, (on the) honor roll, and never got in trouble. And if he did it’s because he wanted to make everyone laugh. No matter the situation he tried to be happy."
"He’s every parent's dream of a boy," she added.
Additionally, superintendent of MSD of Mt. Vernon Schools Matt Thompson also paid tribute to the young student, saying:
"The MSD of Mount Vernon is saddened by the loss of Camrynn. We are finalizing plans to provide grief counseling later this week for students and staff. It is tragic to lose such a young, energetic life and we hope to support those impacted by his loss to the best of our abilities."
Fox News reports that fireworks-related injuries have increased by 25% in the United States between 2006 and 2021, per a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
NBC News has reported that a Florida man also lost his hand on Sunday night - resulting in both the man and his severed hand being rushed to the hospital.
Our thoughts go out to Camrynn's family and anyone affected by this tragedy.
The family of a Texas father who was tragically killed by lightning has revealed his touching final words to his son.
On May 15, 34-year-old father Matthew Boggs tragically lost his life when he was struck by a bolt of lightning as he was walking home with his two sons in Valley Mills.
Recalling the heartbreaking story in a GoFundMe campaign, a family member writes that "lightning came out of the sky without warning" and struck the dad.
Devastatingly, due to the fact Matthew was holding hands with his six-year-old son, Grayson, the young boy has also been left in a critical condition and is "fighting for his life" in hospital.
Since the tragedy unfolded, Grayson's older brother, 11-year-old Elijah, has recounted the moment he knew something was wrong.
Speaking to local news station KWTX, Elijah said: "I was really scared. I rolled Grayson over and he was kind of smiling a little bit. I thought they were just joking, but when I rolled my dad over the middle of his head was bleeding and his face was already purple."
Matthew's mom, Angela Boggs, also shared what became her son's final moment with Grayson.
"He just got done telling Grayson... he said, 'I love you buddy'. That’s when the lightning came down," said the grieving mom, who also revealed that she has come to terms with her son's death and is now focused on her grandchildren.
"I always took care of him because he was the one that God gave to me. Now my responsibility is to take care of my grandbabies," she said.
After receiving CPR at the scene, young Grayson was rushed to the McClane Children’s Hospital Baylor Scott and White where family say he is "fighting for his life" and is unresponsive. Since being admitted, doctors are awaiting to see if he has suffered any brain damage.
Grayson is also being treated for pneumonia.
Boggs says that her grandson is now in God's "healing arms", but believes his boisterous attitude will see him recover.
"He’s a rambunctious little boy," she said of her grandson. "He is always, always on the move playing. He goes, ‘Rawww strong.'"
As of this writing, more than $67,000 has been raised for the family, which will be used to cover Matthew's funeral costs, as well as to support his children for their futures.
Per the CDC, lightning can strike anywhere on Earth, but they are more frequent and deadly in southeastern US states, such as Texas.
WSAV Chief Meteorologist Kris Allred has stated that this is the third fatal lightning strike to occur in the US in 2023.
Our thoughts continue to go out to the family and loved ones of the father and son at this time.
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