How Did This Happen? 61-Year-Old Man Wearing Metal Chain Pulled Into MRI Machine In New York

In a terrifying accident that’s raised serious safety concerns, a 61-year-old man was critically injured after being pulled into an MRI machine while wearing a large metal chain around his neck. The incident occurred around 4:30 PM on Wednesday at Nassau Open MRI, a diagnostic facility located on Old Country Road in Westbury, Long Island.

According to NBC New York, the man entered the MRI room during an ongoing scan. The powerful magnetic field of the machine instantly pulled the chain, dragging the man toward the scanner. Police said this led to a "medical episode,” though further details about his injuries or current condition have not been released. It remains unclear whether he was a patient or how he gained access to the scan room during an active MRI session.

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Responding to a 911 call from the facility, Nassau County police officers arrived on the scene, and the man was immediately transported to the hospital for emergency care. The shocking incident has triggered public concern and widespread speculation on social media. Many questioned the facility’s safety protocols, with one user asking, “Did this guy just wander into the room while a patient was getting a test?” Others raised concerns about the staff’s failure to restrict access, given that MRI magnets remain constantly active.

What Happens If You Go Into An MRI With Metal?

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines work by generating extremely powerful magnetic fields — fields that are always on, even when the machine is not actively scanning. These magnets can exert strong forces on ferromagnetic objects, effectively turning them into high-speed projectiles.

According to Stanford Medicine, the presence of metal in an MRI room can pose these major risks:

1. Projectile Danger: Magnetic metals are physically pulled into the scanner, creating life-threatening hazards.

2. Induced Currents and Heating: Long wires or metal implants can heat up due to radiofrequency (RF) magnetic fields, potentially causing burns or internal damage.

3. Image Distortion: Metals interfere with the magnetic field, leading to poor image quality — a technical issue, but not dangerous.

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While the third issue affects diagnostics, the first two are serious safety concerns that can result in injury or death. Metallic objects such as pacemakers, joint replacements, or even simple jewellery must be carefully screened before a person enters the MRI suite.