A 61-year-old man was seriously injured after being pulled into an MRI machine while it was in use, due to wearing a large metal chain around his neck. The incident occurred at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, Long Island, around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, the man entered the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room without authorization while the scanner was active. The powerful magnetic field immediately attracted the chain he was wearing, forcefully pulling him into the machine.
The man reportedly suffered a medical episode due to the impact and was rushed to a nearby hospital. He remains in critical condition, and the full extent of his injuries is not yet known. Authorities have not disclosed how the individual managed to access the room during an active scan.
An investigation is now underway to determine how the security breach occurred and whether safety protocols were followed.
How MRI Machines Work — and Why Metal Is Dangerous
MRI machines use powerful magnets to produce detailed images of soft tissues inside the body. Because of the intense magnetic field, patients are required to remove all metallic items—such as jewelry, watches, and even certain implants—before entering the scan room. Any ferromagnetic object can become a dangerous projectile if brought near an active MRI scanner.
Hospitals and imaging centers typically enforce strict safety procedures to prevent such incidents, making this case particularly alarming.
Related Incident: Teen Dies After Being Pulled Into Meat Grinder
In a separate tragic accident earlier this week, a 19-year-old sanitation worker at a California food processing plant died after being sucked into a meat grinder. The incident happened at Tina’s Burritos factory in Vernon during an overnight cleaning shift.
According to Sgt. Daniel Onopa of the Vernon Police Department, the teen was cleaning the machine when it unexpectedly activated. Co-workers heard him scream and attempted to stop the machine, but he was fatally injured before help could arrive.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
