Final moments of dad dressed as Uncle Sam who died after putting lit firework on his head

By Joe Hutchison For Dailymail.Com 00:07 06 Jul 2024, updated 13:22 06 Jul 2024

A South Carolina dad was seen dancing in his front yard while dressed as Uncle Sam, moments before he died after igniting a large firework on top of his head.  

Allen Ray McGrew, 41, had been celebrating the 4th of July on Thursday evening at a neighborhood block party in Summerville, Dorchester County. 

Dressed as Uncle Sam, footage captured by his wife Paige showed McGrew dancing a jig in his full festive rig out as he celebrated the holiday. 

Witnesses told investigators that McGrew had placed a large firework on the top hat he was wearing, before lighting it - causing the device to explode. 

According to a police report seen by WCBD, McGrew's wife told deputies she believed he placed the firework on his head to 'show off' and was drunk at the time.

The HVAC worker was found laying dead in the road by deputies who rushed to the scene after the party came to an abrupt end. 

The local coroner's office said that the exploding device had caused massive head trauma that killed McGrew instantly. 

Speaking with the Post and Courier, his wife Paige said she had been telling him to stop playing with the firework when it erupted and he collapsed. 

She told the outlet: 'He was holding this firework over his top hat. I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it.'

Paige added that her husband had worked hard, played hard, and died during his favorite holiday.

'Allen loved this holiday', 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 living his best life last night.'

Paige recalled how her late husband had gone all out for Independence Day, wearing a brand-new Uncle Sam costume for the occasion as well as a fake white beard. 

His wife remembered him hilariously 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.'

The occasion on Thursday had been a celebration for McGrew and his son, with the pair celebrating his son's engagement.

His wife said he then planned to stop drinking for a while, adding: 'Alan was not a drinker. Everyone was drinking a little last night, but he didn't drink regularly.' 

Neighbors who spoke to the Post and Courier described him as being a kind man who was always willing to lend a hand. 

One person told the outlet that Wednesday had been the first time he mowed his own lawn, because McGrew 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.