Man Critically Injured After Necklace Pulled into MRI Machine in New York

A 61-year-old man is in critical condition after being pulled into an MRI machine in Long Island, New York, because he entered the room wearing a metal chain necklace. The powerful magnetic force of the machine caused a serious accident, raising fresh concerns about MRI safety and proper screening protocols.

What Happened

On Wednesday afternoon, the man walked into an MRI exam room at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury while a scan was already in progress. According to the Nassau County Police Department, the machine’s magnetic field immediately attracted the man’s chain necklace, pulling him toward the device.

The force of the incident triggered what police described as a “medical episode.” The man was taken to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition as of the latest reports. Authorities have not shared his name, and there were no new updates on his condition as of Friday.

Why It Matters

MRI machines are essential tools in modern medicine, used to capture detailed images of the body’s internal organs and tissues. But they also pose serious risks if safety procedures are not followed. The machines generate extremely strong magnetic fields — strong enough to move or damage metal objects. This accident highlights the importance of strict safety rules, especially around metal.

How MRI Machines Work — And Why Metal Is Dangerous

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering explains that MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines use powerful magnets to scan the body. These magnets can create forces strong enough to pull in objects made of iron, steel, or other magnetic materials — sometimes with deadly force.

Even small objects like coins, hairpins, or jewelry can turn into dangerous projectiles if brought too close to an MRI scanner. In this case, the man’s chain necklace — likely made of a magnet-sensitive material — was enough to trigger a serious incident.

The agency notes that MRI machines are “strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room” if proper precautions aren’t taken.

Safety Protocols: What Should Have Happened

MRI rooms are typically clearly marked with warning signs. Patients and anyone entering the scan area are usually screened for any metallic items, including jewelry, credit cards, hearing aids, and even certain types of clothing with metallic fibers or fasteners.

It’s unclear how the man entered the MRI room during an active scan or why he was allowed in while still wearing a metal necklace. Nassau Open MRI declined to comment when contacted by phone on Friday.

Hospitals and imaging centers usually have strict safety guidelines in place, but this case suggests there may have been a breakdown in procedure — or a moment of human error.

Past Incidents and Broader Concerns

While serious injuries from MRI accidents are rare, they have happened before. In 2001, a 6-year-old boy in New York died after an oxygen tank was pulled into an MRI machine, striking him in the head. That case led to increased safety awareness and training across the country.

Experts say that anyone working near MRI machines should be properly trained and that patients must be carefully screened — even for hidden metal, like implants or old surgical clips.

This latest incident will likely prompt further review of safety measures at imaging centers, especially those that allow walk-ins or have less supervision.

What Happens Next

Authorities have not yet said whether an investigation is underway. It’s also not known if the man was a patient, visitor, or staff member. More details are expected in the coming days.

In the meantime, the case serves as a strong reminder of the hidden dangers in medical settings — and how one overlooked item, like a necklace, can turn a routine procedure into a life-threatening emergency.