WESTBURY, NY (LOOTPRESS) — A 61-year-old man has died after being critically injured when he was pulled into an active MRI machine while wearing a metal chain, authorities confirmed Friday.
The tragic incident happened Wednesday afternoon at Nassau Open MRI, a diagnostic imaging center located in Westbury. According to a statement from the Nassau County Police Department, the man entered an MRI room while a scan was in progress—despite it being unauthorized—and was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck.
The powerful magnetic field of the MRI machine attracted the chain, drawing the man toward the equipment and triggering what police described as a “medical episode.”
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after a 911 call was placed. The man was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition but died from his injuries the following day, Thursday, July 17.
His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
MRI machines use strong magnetic fields to generate detailed internal images of the body, and all patients are routinely instructed to remove metal objects—including jewelry—prior to entering the room to avoid serious injury or equipment malfunction.
Nassau Open MRI, which operates multiple locations and offers both open and closed MRI scans, has not released a statement regarding the incident. Attempts by ABC News to reach the Westbury facility for comment were unsuccessful. The company declined to comment when contacted by ABC’s New York affiliate, WABC.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by metallic objects around MRI machines, even outside of direct patient scans.
