Tragic MRI Accident in Westbury: Man Dies After Metal Chain Incident, A 61-year-old man lost his life in a tragic accident at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, New York, on July 16, 2025, after being pulled into an MRI machine while wearing a metal chain necklace. The incident, which occurred during an active scan, has raised serious concerns about MRI safety protocols and the dangers of magnetic fields in medical settings.
The Nassau County Police Department is investigating the circumstances that led to the man’s unauthorized entry into the MRI room, resulting in a fatal “medical episode.” This article explores the details of the incident, the risks of MRI machines, and the broader implications for medical safety.
The Fatal Incident at Nassau Open MRI
On Wednesday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., Nassau County Police responded to a 911 call at Nassau Open MRI on Old Country Road in Westbury. According to authorities, the 61-year-old man, who was not a patient but accompanying someone else, entered an MRI room without authorization while a scan was in progress.
He was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, which was violently pulled by the machine’s powerful magnetic field, drawing him into the equipment. The force caused what police described as a “medical episode,” leading to critical injuries. The man was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day, Thursday, July 17, at 2:36 p.m.
Witnesses reported chaos at the scene, with one bystander, Orlando Hernandez, stating, “That’s insane. That should’ve never happened. It has to be someone’s responsibility.” The victim’s identity has not been released, and the investigation remains ongoing, with police noting no criminality is suspected.
The Dangers of MRI Machines
MRI machines, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems, use powerful magnets—strong enough to fling a wheelchair across a room—to create detailed images of the body’s soft tissues.
The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering emphasizes that these magnetic fields pose significant risks if metal objects are present. Patients and visitors are strictly advised to remove all jewelry, piercings, and metallic items before entering an MRI room.
Dr. Payal Sud, an emergency medicine expert at North Shore University Hospital, explained that a metal chain could cause “strangulation injuries, asphyxiation, or cervical spine injuries” if pulled by the machine’s magnet. Past incidents highlight the danger: in 2001, a 6-year-old boy died when an oxygen tank was pulled into an MRI, and in 2018, a man in India suffered a similar fate.
The Westbury incident underscores the critical need for adherence to safety protocols, such as multi-zone screening processes, to prevent unauthorized access and ensure no metal enters the magnet room.
Calls for Improved Safety Measures
The tragedy has sparked discussions about enhancing safety at medical imaging facilities. Melonie Longacre, VP of Operations at Northwell Health, described the multi-zone safety system for MRIs: Zone I raises awareness of the MRI’s presence, Zone II involves patient screening, Zone III is post-screening, and Zone IV is the magnet room itself.
“It’s important to be educated and safe,” Longacre said, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to these protocols. A patient at Nassau Open MRI told NBC New York, “Everyone knows, when that door is closed, not to enter.” Yet, reports suggest the man entered the room to assist a relative who was screaming, despite a technician’s warning.
This raises questions about communication, signage, and physical barriers at imaging centers. Social media reactions on X expressed shock, with users like nexta_tv noting the man’s fatal mistake of ignoring warnings while wearing a metal chain. As investigators review Nassau Open MRI’s procedures, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for rigorous safety measures to prevent such accidents.
