A tragic incident occurred at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, Long Island, where a 61-year-old man lost his life after being drawn into an MRI machine by a large metallic chain necklace he was wearing. The accident took place on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, around 4:30 p.m., when the man entered an MRI room without authorization while a scan was in progress.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, the man, who was not a patient but was accompanying a relative, entered the MRI room despite warnings from a technician. Reports indicate he was concerned for his relative, who was reportedly screaming during the scan. Unaware of the risks, he entered wearing a large metallic chain, which was attracted by the machine’s powerful magnetic field. The force of the MRI, strong enough to pull heavy objects like wheelchairs across a room, yanked him toward the machine, resulting in a severe medical episode.
Emergency responders rushed the man to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 2:36 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The exact nature of his injuries was not disclosed, but the incident underscores the dangers of MRI machines, which use intense magnetic fields to produce detailed anatomical images. Safety protocols strictly prohibit metal objects in MRI rooms, as even small items can become dangerous projectiles.
The Nassau County Police are continuing their investigation, but they have stated there is no indication of criminality, and the incident appears to be a tragic accident. Nassau Open MRI, which offers both open and closed MRI scans, has not commented on the incident. Medical professionals at nearby North Shore University Hospital emphasized the importance of rigorous safety measures, noting that MRI machines pose catastrophic risks if protocols are not followed. Past incidents, such as a 2001 case where a child was killed by a metal oxygen tank pulled into an MRI and a 2023 injury to a nurse pinned by a hospital bed, highlight the rare but severe dangers of these machines.