Man Dies After MRI Machine Accident Involving Metal Chain at New York Imaging Center

Fatal Incident Occurred During MRI Appointment

A 61-year-old man died after being pulled into an MRI machine while wearing a heavy metal chain around his neck during an incident at an imaging facility in Westbury, New York.

The accident took place on July 16, 2025, at Nassau Open MRI. Authorities reported that the machine’s powerful magnetic field attracted the metal chain, pulling the man into the scanner and triggering a medical emergency.

The incident has drawn widespread attention because of the immense force generated by MRI equipment and the importance of strict safety procedures around magnetic objects.

Victim Identified by His Wife

Although the Nassau County Police Department had not yet released the victim’s identity, his wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, identified him during an interview with News 12 Long Island as Keith McAllister.

Adrienne had been undergoing an MRI scan of her knee when she asked a technician to bring her husband into the room to help her off the examination table.

Moments after entering the MRI suite, Keith was pulled toward the machine while wearing a weight-training chain around his neck.

Powerful Magnetic Force Pulled Him Into the Scanner

According to police, Keith was wearing a metal chain weighing approximately 20 pounds.

The chain was immediately attracted to the MRI machine’s powerful magnetic field, pulling him into the scanner.

The Nassau County Police Department stated, “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.”

The force of the incident left those present unable to immediately free him.

Wife Describes the Terrifying Moments

Adrienne Jones-McAllister later described what she witnessed during the incident.

“He went limp in my arms,” Jones-McAllister told News 12 Long Island. “And that moment is still pulsating in my brain.”

She recalled that the technician had called Keith into the examination room before the accident occurred.

“At that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in and he hit the MRI,” she said.

As the emergency unfolded, she pleaded for immediate assistance.

“I said: ‘Could you turn off the machine, call 911, do something, Turn this damn thing off!'” she later recalled.

Efforts to Free Him

A family member’s GoFundMe campaign stated that Keith remained attached to the MRI machine for nearly an hour before the chain could be released.

During that time, emergency efforts continued as responders worked to remove him safely from the powerful magnetic field.

Adrienne said the technician also attempted to pull Keith away from the machine but was unable to do so.

Recalling the final moments she witnessed, she said, “He waved goodbye to me and then his whole body went limp.”

He Died Two Days Later

Keith suffered multiple heart attacks following the incident.

He was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment but died two days later as a result of his injuries.

His death has left family members and friends mourning the loss of a man remembered for his devotion to those around him.

Why MRI Safety Is So Important

MRI machines use extremely powerful magnetic fields to produce detailed medical images.

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering explains that MRI systems “employ a strong magnetic field” capable of exerting tremendous force on objects made from iron, certain types of steel, and other magnetic materials.

The agency also notes that these magnets are powerful enough to move heavy metal objects, illustrating why strict screening procedures are required before anyone enters an MRI examination room.

Removing metallic items before entering the scanning area is considered an essential safety precaution because even seemingly ordinary objects can become dangerous projectiles when exposed to the machine’s magnetic field.

A Family Mourns a Loved One

Following Keith McAllister’s death, loved ones remembered him for the many roles he held within his family and community.

A message shared through the family’s GoFundMe campaign described him as “a husband, a father, a stepfather, a grandfather, a brother, and an uncle. He was a friend to many.”

As investigations into the incident continue, Keith’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of MRI safety protocols and the extraordinary strength of the magnetic equipment used in medical imaging facilities.