The family of the man who was filmed dancing before placing a lit firework on his head have shared his heartbreaking final words.
According to his family, Allen Ray McGrew, 41, rarely drank. However, a circulating video continues to depict the final moments of his life in a distressing manner.
In the video, he is seen smoking a cigarette and dancing to celebrate the Fourth of July, dressed in an Uncle Sam outfit and top hat, while visibly inebriated.
The father of one placed a large firework on top of his hat, which exploded, causing fatal head injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene, outside the family’s home in South Carolina.
His wife, Paige McGrew, recently shared with The New York Post that just before the incident, he hugged her and their son, saying, “You are my rock, and you are my heart.”
“We’re traumatized,” added his 20-year-old son, Hunter McGrew, two days after the widely seen incident.
“He loved this country and looked forward to celebrating every year,” continued his stepmom, Paige.
Both of them mentioned that their father had been celebrating in a grand manner because Hunter had recently gotten engaged.
She mentioned that he and Paige recently tied the knot, marrying last year after dating since 2017.
Photos on her social media depict the couple wearing matching ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ shirts, while his photos showcase moments with Hunter throughout the years.
The couple seemed very close, and neighbors in the town of Summerville recalled McGrew as ‘the nicest guy’ on the block.
There, on Thursday, a block party was held in honor of the holiday, where the McGrews and other residents enjoyed fireworks and drinks together.
The occasion was particularly special due to Hunter’s recent engagement, and Allen seemed determined to celebrate his soon-to-be daughter-in-law’s entry into the family with a memorable display.
“Decked out in patriotic attire, including a top hat embellished with stars and stripes, he placed the firework on his head while dancing a bit to ‘show off,’ Paige said after the incident on Thursday.”
“The HVAC worker was found by first responders, lying dead at the scene from the head injuries that abruptly ended the party.”
“The local coroner’s office reported that McGrew was killed instantly by massive head trauma caused by the exploding device. In an interview with the Post and Courier, his wife mentioned she had been in the midst of telling him to stop playing with the firework when it suddenly erupted, causing him to collapse.”
“He was holding this firework over his top hat,” she told the outlet, as footage of the incident continues to circulate online.
“I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it.”
“On Saturday, she mentioned how her husband, during his favorite holiday, had previously told the Post and Courier, ‘He was a patriot.'”
“He was proud of his son,” she continued, “and he was excited to welcome a new daughter-in-law. He was truly living his best life last night.”
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office and Dorchester County Coroner’s Office are currently investigating the incident, prompted by the family’s distress over the viral footage.
They told the Post that it falsely portrays him as a ‘drunken fool’ — a depiction that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, he was their rock — the same praise he bestowed upon them in his final moments.
Meanwhile, the clip continues to gather millions of views online, despite its sensitive nature.
