On Thursday, July 4, Allen Ray McGrew, 41, put a lighted firecracker on his head, causing it to explode. This prompted the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department to be sent to a home on Cottonwood Drive in Summerville, South California, in order to investigate the incident.
At around 10.30 p.m., Allen’s wife, Paige McGrew, said to The Post and Courier that her husband was dressed in a stars and stripes Uncle Sam outfit and was “carrying this firecracker over his top hat.” According to her, Allen was wearing the suit.
She was under the impression that he was “just showboating before he placed it on the ground,” but she later learned that “he had already lit it.” Despite her and other people’s objections, the fireworks went off.
At around 11:10 p.m., McGrew ultimately succumbed to his injuries after falling, as reported by the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the findings of the coroner, his death was the consequence of severe head injuries, which would have resulted in his death immediately.
Paige has recently provided further information on the event.
In her statement, she said that on the evening of the event, “everyone was drinking a bit,” but she also mentioned that “Alan was not a drinker” and “didn’t drink often.”
Allen had reportedly claimed that the Fourth of July party would be his last drink in a very long time. Additionally, he had stated that the event would be an opportunity to celebrate not just Independence Day but also their son Hunter’s engagement and wedding. Paige found out about this information from Allen.
“Allen had a good time during the holiday,” Paige reminisced. He was a patriotic person who took great pride in his son and was overjoyed to have a new daughter-in-law. The previous evening, he was having the time of his life.
During the Fourth of July festivities, the Santa Clara Unit of Cal Fire has strongly recommended that the general public refrain from using fireworks.
According to Chelsea Burkett, who serves as the public relations officer for the Santa Clara Unit of Cal Fire, residents should be careful not to shoot off fireworks since they have the potential to start fires.
This is something that happens every year, she said to NBC Bay Area. As a result of the frequency with which we see it, we highly recommend that people allow specialists to take charge.
Although the explosives that Allen used were within the law, there have been warnings issued about fireworks that were not approved.
A warning was made by Dr. Cliff Sheckter, who is the medical director of the Regional Burn Center at Valley Medical Center. He said, “These are mortars, small pieces of dynamite.” The fingers and hands on your hands are at risk of being blown away by these objects. This occurs on an annual basis.
These injuries, which are often irreversible, may have a significant impact on a person’s life.