On a festive July 4th evening meant for celebration, tragedy struck the McGrew family, turning a joyous gathering into a sorrowful event. Allen Ray McGrew, 41, was commemorating not only Independence Day but also his son Hunter’s recent engagement. His wife, 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.”
Despite not being a regular drinker, Allen decided that the party would be his final hurrah before taking a break from alcohol. The night took an unexpected turn when, around 10:30 pm, Allen, donned in a stars and stripes Uncle Sam outfit, began handling a firework. “He was holding this firework over his top hat,” Paige recalled, initially thinking her husband was merely putting on a show. She soon realized the situation was far more serious. “He had already lit it,” she said, and despite her warnings, the firework erupted.
Allen McGrew passed away at the age of 41 , and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s department confirmed that he collapsed and was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:10 pm. The incident occurred on Cottonwood Drive in Summersville
. The coroner reported that Allen died from ‘massive head injuries’, which likely led to instantaneous death.
Reflecting on her husband’s life, Paige said, “He was a genuine, good person and he loved life. He worked hard and he played hard.”
The dangers of fireworks are well-documented but often ignored, leading to preventable accidents each year. Chelsea Burkett from Cal Fire’s Santa Clara Unit warned against amateur firework displays, telling NBC Bay Area, “It happens every year. We see it often and we strongly encourage residents to let the professionals do the show.” Similarly, Dr. Cliff Sheckter, medical director of the Regional Burn Center at Valley Medical Center, cautioned about the hazards of illegal fireworks. “These are mortars, small pieces of dynamite. These can and will blow off your fingers and your hands. We see every year,” he explained, noting the irreversible damage they can cause.
For those dealing with loss, The Compassionate Friends offers confidential support and can be contacted at (877) 969-0010.