July 4 celebrations took a tragic turn for a South Carolina father who died after a firework he had set off on his hat exploded, several US media outlets report.
Allen Ray McGrew, a 41-year-old man, wanted to put on a show for American Independence Day in front of his neighbors in the town of Summerville.
Dressed in a suit in the colours of the American flag including an exuberant top hat, the 40-year-old is said to have placed the fireworks on his headgear before lighting them, witnesses said.
The victim’s wife, Paige McGrew, told police her husband did the act to impress the neighbors, adding that he was very drunk at the time of the tragedy.
Mr McGrew died at the scene after suffering life-threatening head injuries.
His wife said she initially thought the fireworks were not lit. When she realized the potential danger, she allegedly urged Allen Ray McGrew to stop playing with the fireworks, the Post and Courier. Unfortunately, the detonation then occurred and her husband collapsed to the ground.
The couple’s son had recently married, which may have contributed to the festive feeling the father felt on the Fourth of July.
“Allen loved that party. He was a patriot, proud of his son and excited to have a daughter-in-law. He was living his best life that night,” McGrew said.
