MRI magnet kills man in a freak accident
Industry Buzz
"If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries... The dangers could be catastrophic and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place." — Payal Sud, MD, an emergency medicine doctor, CBS
On July 16, 2025, at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, NY, a routine MRI scan turned into a tragic disaster. Keith McAllister, age 61, was waiting outside the MRI suite while his wife, Adrienne, underwent a knee scan.
The technician, responding to Adrienne’s request for help after the scan, brought Keith into the suite. The problem was, Keith was wearing a 20‑pound metal chain around his neck at the time—similar to a weighted vest, the chain was allegedly worn for weight-training purposes.
In an instant, the magnetic field “snatched him around, pulled him in, and he hit the MRI,” Adrienne recounted.[] Despite agonized attempts by Adrienne and the technician to pull him away, Keith was stuck for nearly an hour before emergency crews could detach him.[] During that time, he suffered multiple heart attacks and tragically passed away the following day.
His widow described the scene hauntingly: “He went limp in my arms, and this is still pulsating in my brain.”[]
Related: Largest ER malpractice payout in Georgia history slams two doctorsWhat went wrong?
Flagrant safety protocol breach: All metal must be removed before entering MR environments; this never happened. Staff had previously noticed the chain, but no enforcement occurred. []
Poor screening and supervision: The technician escorted a person with a substantial metallic object into the room during an active scan.
Delayed emergency response: The patient remained attached for an abnormally long duration (nearly an hour), his retrieval clearly impeded. []
Oversight gaps in mobile imaging settings: New York doesn’t perform routine inspections of outpatient MRI facilities, and this clinic reportedly escaped regular oversight. []
Expert warnings and historical context
Radiology experts underscore the disastrous risks of MRI projectile events—even with relatively small objects. []
"The dangers [of not following protocol] could be catastrophic and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place," said Payal Sud, MD, an emergency medicine doctor from North Shore University Hospital, in an interview with CBS.[]
While such fatalities are rare, this isn’t the first: In 2001, a child died in New York when an oxygen tank became a projectile. []
Regulatory bodies like the FDA and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering emphasize meticulous screening and regulation to prevent such incidents. []
Key insights for medical professionals
Never relax standard protocol, no matter how benign the scenario seems.
Implement strict metal‑free entry checks, conducted immediately before room entry.
Never allow unscanned or unscreened individuals into the MRI suite, regardless of role or request.
Train staff on immediate quench procedures and ensure emergency protocols are practiced regularly.
Advocate for regular MRI suite audit and inspection—especially in private clinic settings potentially lacking oversight.
The takeaway for healthcare workers
As healthcare professionals, we must champion patient and staff safety by insisting on zero tolerance for MRI protocol shortcuts. Every individual—patient, family member, or staff—must be thoroughly screened and cleared and must remain outside active magnetic fields.
This case is a stark reminder: The MRI suite is not a place for assumptions. Uphold vigilance, enforce policy, and encourage oversight.