The Fourth of July is a time for celebration, but for one family in South Carolina, it ended in tragedy.
Allen Ray McGrew, 41, lost his life in a fireworks accident during a family gathering.
His wife, Paige McGrew, recalls the devastating moments leading up to the incident and the critical safety warnings that followed.
On the night of July 4th, Allen Ray McGrew was celebrating Independence Day and his son Hunter's engagement.
Dressed in a stars and stripes Uncle Sam outfit, Allen was in high spirits. Paige McGrew shared with The Post and Courier, "Allen loved this holiday.
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 McGrew shed light on the tragic death of her husband, Allen McGrew.
According to Paige McGrew, around 10:30 p.m., her husband was holding a lit firework over his top hat. Initially, she thought he was just showing off.
She told to The Post: “I didn’t realize he had already lit it.”
Despite her warnings, the firework exploded.
According to the Dorchester County Sheriff's department, Allen collapsed immediately and was pronounced dead at the scene by 11:10 pm. Coroners determined the cause of death to be massive head injuries, which would have killed him instantly.
In the interview with The Post and Courier, Paige McGrew shed light on the events leading up to the tragedy ogf her husband.
She revealed that alcohol was involved in the incident, although Allen was not a regular drinker.
The gathering was meant to be his last celebration involving alcohol for a while. "Allen loved this holiday. 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 McGrew family also refutes any untrue portrayal of McGrew following his tragic death.
The McGrew family, amidst overwhelming attention after a tragic event, adamantly refutes any portrayal of Allen as a "drunken fool."
They claimed: " McGrew as a “drunken fool” couldn’t be further from the truth."
"He loved this country and cherished every opportunity to celebrate," shared Paige McGrew, 53, with The Post. Just moments before the incident, Allen embraced his wife and son, declaring, "You are my rock, and you are my heart," a poignant memory now cherished by his family.
Allen and Paige, married just last year after years together since at least 2017, shared sweet moments captured on social media.
The tragic death of Allen Ray McGrew serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of fireworks.
Chelsea Burkett, a public information officer from Cal Fire's Santa Clara Unit, emphasized the importance of leaving fireworks displays to professionals. "It happens every year. We see it often and we strongly encourage residents to let the professionals do the show," she told NBC Bay Area.
Dr. Cliff Sheckter, medical director of the Regional Burn Center at Valley Medical Center, warned about the severe risks posed by fireworks, especially illegal ones.
