Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine While Wearing Metal Chain in New York

Man dies after being pulled into MRI machine while wearing metal chain: Police

A 61-year-old man has died after suffering critical injuries when he was pulled into an active MRI machine while wearing a metal chain at a medical facility in Westbury, New York, authorities confirmed Friday.

The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at Nassau Open MRI, where the man reportedly entered an active MRI room without authorization during a scan in progress. According to a statement from the Nassau County Police Department, the powerful magnetic field of the machine drew the man toward it due to the large metallic chain around his neck, triggering a severe medical episode.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene following a 911 call and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition until he was pronounced dead on Thursday afternoon. The man’s identity has not yet been released.

An investigation into the incident remains ongoing, police said.

MRI machines use intense magnetic fields to create detailed internal images, and safety protocols strictly prohibit any metal objects inside the scanning room. Patients are routinely instructed to remove jewelry, belts, and other metallic items before entering.

Nassau Open MRI, which provides both open and closed MRI scans across multiple locations, has not released a statement regarding the incident.