A South Carolina father was seen dancing in his front yard dressed as Uncle Sam moments before he died after lighting a large firework on top of his head.
Allen Ray McGrew, 41, had been celebrating the Fourth of July Thursday night at a block party in Summerville, Dorchester County.
Dressed as Uncle Sam, footage captured by his wife Paige showed McGrew dancing a jig in full festive attire as he celebrated the holiday.
Witnesses told investigators that McGrew had placed a large firework in the top hat he was wearing before lighting it, causing the device to explode.
According to a police report seen by WCBDMcGrew’s wife told officers she believed he placed the fireworks on his head to “show off” and that he was drunk at the time.
The HVAC worker was found dead in the street by responding officers after the party abruptly ended.
Dressed as Uncle Sam, footage captured by his wife Paige showed McGrew dancing a jig in full festive attire as he celebrated the holiday.
Witnesses told investigators that McGrew had placed a large firework in the top hat he was wearing before lighting it, causing the device to explode.
The local coroner’s office said the explosive device caused massive head trauma that killed McGrew instantly.
Talking with him Mail and courier servicesHis wife Paige said she had been telling him to stop playing with the fireworks when they went off and he collapsed.
She told the outlet: “He was holding this firework over his top hat. I thought he was just showing off before he put it on the ground. I didn’t realise he had already lit it.”
Paige added that her husband had worked hard, had a lot of fun and died during his favorite holiday.
“Allen loved this party,” she added. “He was a patriot, he was proud of his son and he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was having the time of his life last night.”
Paige recalled how her late husband had dressed up for Independence Day, sporting a new Uncle Sam costume for the occasion and a fake white beard as well.
His wife hilariously recalled him turning up at her office in full costume, saying: ‘I was on the phone with a client and I went crazy, I was laughing so hard.
“I had to tell him what was going on. That’s what Allen was like. He was a genuine, good person who loved life. He worked hard and had a lot of fun.”
The local coroner’s office said the explosive device caused massive head trauma that killed McGrew instantly.
Paige, seen here with Allen, added that her husband had worked hard, had fun and died during his favorite holiday.
The HVAC worker was found dead in the street by responding officers after the party abruptly ended.
Thursday’s occasion was a success for McGrew and his son, as the couple celebrated their son’s engagement.
His wife said he planned to stop drinking for a while afterwards, adding: “Alan was not a drinker. Everyone drank a bit last night but he didn’t drink regularly.”
Neighbors who spoke to the Post and Courier described him as a kind man who was always willing to help.
One person told the outlet that Wednesday was the first time he had ever mowed his own lawn, because McGrew normally did it himself.
Another neighbor added: “He was a very nice guy. He was the kind of person you want as a neighbor.”
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident.