Grandfather crushed to death in McDonald’s drive-thru 'freak accident'

A Nebraska man was killed just days before Christmas in what officials called a “freak accident” at a McDonald’s drive-thru.

Michael Dickinson, 69, was pinned between his vehicle and the payment window in Grand Island in Tuesday’s incident, police said in a statement.

The man was rushed to hospital,where he died.

Victim was trying to pay

The horrific incident was “100% a freak accident,” Police Division Chief Dean Elliott told KSNB.

“It appears the deceased opened the door to further reach out of the window for payment purposes,” he detailed.

The chief added: “We’re not sure if the vehicle lurched forward or what happened, but he became pinned between the door frame and the drive-thru window counter.”

One employee tried to save the man by vaulting through the passenger side of the car, but was unable to free Dickinson, Elliott told the outlet.

The worker was also injured in the rescue attempt.

The incident remains under investigation as officers from the department’s Accident Reconstruction Team piece together what happened at the scene.

Remembered by loved ones

Dickinson and his wife had celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in July.

The man’s family took to Facebook to remember “his love” on their first Christmas without him, noting his willingness “to help and be there when it mattered most.”

He was described as “a skilled and hardworking mechanic” who “took pride in his work and had a gift for fixing what was broken. It reflected who he was – reliable, practical, and dedicated.”

They added: “Though his life was cut short, Michael’s love, loyalty, and kindness will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.”

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