A 69-year-old man has died in what police are describing as a 'freak accident' at a McDonald's drive-thru in the United States.
The Tragic Incident in Grand Island
Michael Dickinson, aged 69, was killed after becoming pinned between his vehicle and the drive-thru payment counter in Grand Island, Nebraska. The incident occurred on December 25, 2025. Emergency services, including police and firefighters, rushed to the fast-food restaurant where they found the customer trapped.
Despite efforts to free him, he was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital. Grand Island Police Division Chief Dean Elliott stated the incident was '100% a freak accident'.
How the Accident Unfolded
Chief Elliott explained that it appears Mr Dickinson opened his car door to reach further out of the window to complete his payment. 'We're not sure if the vehicle lurched forward or what happened, but he got pinched between the door frame and the drive-thru window counter,' Elliott said.
In a brave attempt to help, a McDonald's employee tried to reach the trapped man through the passenger side of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the worker injured himself during the rescue effort and was taken to hospital by ambulance. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Police confirmed that Mr Dickinson was the sole occupant of the car at the time of the tragic accident.
Aftermath and Investigation
The scene was cleared by officers approximately two hours after the incident, and the drive-thru remained open for business throughout the day. The Grand Island Police Department has confirmed that its investigation into the precise circumstances is ongoing.
This tragic event follows a separate incident at a UK McDonald's in November, where a customer died following a 'medical emergency' at a restaurant in Stafford. In that case, paramedics found the man in a critical condition, but despite advanced life support, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The recent drive-thru accident in Nebraska highlights the potential, albeit rare, dangers associated with everyday activities. Police continue to piece together the exact sequence of events that led to this fatal outcome.
