Incident occurred at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury
A 61-year-old man died after being pulled into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine at a medical facility in Westbury, New York, Nassau County Police confirmed on Friday.
Metal chain caused fatal magnetic pull
According to police, the man was wearing a large metal chain and entered the MRI room without authorization while the machine was in operation. The powerful magnetic field generated by the MRI caused the metal necklace to be drawn into the machine, pulling the man along with it. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities said the man experienced a “medical episode” as a result of the magnetic force. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries at 2:36 p.m. on Thursday.
MRI safety rules prohibit metal in scanning area
MRI machines use strong magnetic fields that require strict safety protocols. Patients are typically required to remove all metallic objects and undergo screening for any metal implants or accessories before entering the scan room.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes the importance of strict screening procedures to prevent injuries: “Careful screening of people and objects entering the MR environment is critical to ensure nothing enters the magnet area that may become a projectile,” the agency notes on its website.
Facility identified as Nassau Open MRI
The incident took place at Nassau Open MRI, a medical imaging center located in Westbury, a community of approximately 15,000 residents in Nassau County on Long Island. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized access to the active MRI room remains ongoing.
