Tragic MRI Accident: Man Dies After 9kg Chain Pulls Him Into Machine

Tragedy at New York MRI Clinic: Man Killed After Being Pulled Into Scanner by Metal Chain

In a tragic accident on Long Island, a 61-year-old man died after being pulled into an active MRI machine due to a heavy metallic chain he was wearing. The incident took place at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, New York, when Keith Jones-McAllister entered the MRI room where his wife was undergoing a scan.

According to the Nassau County Police Department, Keith entered the room without authorization to assist his wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, who had just completed a knee scan. Unfortunately, he was wearing a 9 kg (20 lbs) metal chain with a lock—a piece he reportedly used for weight training—which triggered the powerful magnetic field of the MRI machine.

“The male victim was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, causing him to be drawn into the machine, which resulted in a medical episode,” police said in a statement reported by the BBC.

"It pulled him like a torpedo"

The MRI's strong magnetic force immediately attracted the chain, pulling Keith into the scanner with immense force. Charles Winterfeldt, the director of imaging services at the facility, described the incident to CBS News:

“It would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the centre of the magnet.”

Keith's wife told CNN that he went limp in her arms seconds after the impact.

“At that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in, and he hit the MRI... I’m saying, ‘Could you turn off the machine? Call 911. Do something. Turn this damn thing off!’” she recalled, visibly shaken.

MRI Accident

Despite the technician’s attempt to pull him away, it was too late. Keith later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the incident.

Concerns raised over protocols

What makes the tragedy more distressing is that, according to Adrienne, the MRI staff had seen the chain before and were familiar with it from previous visits.

“That was not the first time that guy has seen that chain on my husband. They had a conversation about it before,” she said.

This raises serious concerns about safety protocols and staff vigilance at the facility, especially considering how sensitive MRI environments are to metal objects.

Medical experts warn of catastrophic consequences

Medical professionals stress the importance of strict safety measures around MRI machines.

Dr Payal Sud told CBS News:

“The dangers could be catastrophic, and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also warned that the intense magnetic fields used in MRI scanners can attract ferromagnetic objects such as keys, oxygen tanks, mobile phones, and chains, posing severe risks to patients, staff, and the machinery itself.

Investigation underway

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. It remains unclear whether the MRI machine was properly secured or if staff violated any protocols by allowing or not preventing the man from entering the scan room with a metal object.

The case is already raising alarm bells in the radiology and healthcare sectors, with calls for stricter enforcement of MRI safety regulations and enhanced staff training.

MRI safety: a critical reminder

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. The magnetic field generated can be up to 60,000 times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field. Because of this, any metal object can be sucked into the machine at high speed, turning even everyday items into deadly projectiles.

MRI rooms typically have multiple warnings, and patients are required to remove all metallic items before entry—including jewelry, piercings, belts, and even some makeup with metallic components.

Healthcare professionals emphasize that unauthorized access to MRI rooms should never be allowed, especially when the scanner is active.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the invisible dangers in medical environments and the life-threatening consequences of overlooking safety protocols. The loss of Keith Jones-McAllister is a devastating incident that could potentially have been avoided.