A 61-year-old man from Long Island, New York, tragically died after being pulled into an MRI machine by a heavy metal chain around his neck. The incident occurred on July 16, 2025, at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury when the man entered the MRI room without authorization during an ongoing scan.
The powerful magnetic field of the MRI machine instantly attracted the metal necklace, pulling him violently into the equipment and causing severe injuries. Despite being rushed to a hospital in critical condition, he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Identified as Keith McAllister, the victim was accompanying his wife for a knee scan and entered the room to assist her. Although the man and MRI staff had previously discussed the chain, strict MRI safety protocols were breached. Witnesses described how McAllister’s body went limp after being yanked by the magnet, and rescue attempts at the scene were unsuccessful.
The Nassau County Police Department’s homicide investigation is ongoing. Medical experts stress the critical importance of removing all metal objects before MRI scans due to the machine’s extremely strong magnetic fields that can exert dangerous force on ferromagnetic materials.
READ ALSO: Torrential Rains in South Korea Kill at Least 17, Leave Dozens Missing Amid Devastating Floods
