The family of a man who was filmed dancing before a lit firework was placed over his head have revealed his heartbreaking final words.
Allen Ray McGrew, 41, rarely drank, they said, as a circulating video continues to show the final moments of his life in a degrading light.
He is seen smoking a cigarette – and dancing – to celebrate the Fourth of July, wearing an Uncle Sam suit and a top hat and visibly intoxicated.
The father of a boy proceeded to place a large firework on his hat which exploded, causing head injuries that killed him instantly. He was pronounced dead at the scene outside the family’s home in South Carolina.
His wife, Paige McGrew, recently revealed to The New York Post How just before the incident, he hugged her and her son to say: “You are my rock and you are my heart.”
The family of Allen Ray McGrew, seen here with his son Hunter, have revealed his final words
South Carolina man was filmed dancing before placing lit firework over his head on July 4, a decision that turned fatal
“We’re traumatized,” added her son, Hunter McGrew, 20, two days after the widely seen incident.
“He loved this country and looked forward to celebrating it every year,” stepmother Paige continued.
Both said the father had been celebrating in style because Hunter had recently gotten engaged.
He and Paige also recently got married last year after dating since 2017, he said.
Photos on their social media show the couple wearing matching t-shirts with the words ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ on them, while photos of him show him and Hunter through the years.
The pair seemed extremely close, as neighbors in the town of Summerville remembered McGrew as “the nicest guy” on the block.
There was a block party there on Thursday in honor of the holiday, during which the McGrews and other residents set off fireworks while enjoying some drinks.
However, the occasion was special due to Hunter’s recent engagement, and Allen seemed determined to celebrate his future daughter-in-law’s addition to the family with a bit of a show.
His wife Paige recently revealed how just before the incident, he hugged her and their son to say: ‘You are my rock and my heart.’
The incident occurred outside the family’s Summerville home on Thursday, during a block party meant not only to celebrate the holiday, but also their son’s recent engagement.
Dressed in a parasite outfit complete with a top hat adorned with the flag’s signature stars and stripes, he placed the firework on his head while doing a little dance in an attempt to “show off,” Paige said.
Dressed in a parasite outfit complete with a top hat adorned with the flag’s signature stars and stripes, he placed the firework on his head while doing a little dance in an attempt to “show off,” Paige said after Thursday’s incident.
The HVAC worker was found dead at the scene by first responders from head injuries as the party abruptly ended.
The local coroner’s office said the explosive device had caused massive head trauma that killed McGrew instantly, and in an interview with the Mail and courier servicesHis wife said she was about to tell him to stop playing with the fireworks when they exploded and he collapsed.
“He was holding this firework over his top hat,” he told the outlet, as footage of the incident continues to circulate online.
“I thought he was just showing off before he threw it on the floor. I didn’t realize he had already turned it on.”
She added Saturday how her husband during her favorite holiday, after telling the Post and Courier earlier in the week: ‘He was a patriot.
“He was proud of his son,” she continued. “And he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was having the time of his life last night.”
The decision abruptly ended the party, as well as the life of the beloved father of a child.
“He was proud of his son,” Paige said of the father’s final performance. “And he was excited to have a new daughter-in-law. He was living his best life last night.”
Meanwhile, the clip continues to rack up millions of views online, causing concern for the family due to its depiction of the family man as a “drunken fool”.
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident as the family said they are concerned about the viral images.
They told the Post it falsely portrays him as a “drunken fool,” a depiction that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, he was her rock: the same praise she gave them in her final moments.
Meanwhile, the clip continues to rack up millions of views online, despite its sensitive nature.