Man Killed After 20-lb Chain Pulls Him Into MRI Machine on Long Island: Family, Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny

On Wednesday afternoon, July 16, at the Nassau Open MRI facility in Westbury, Long Island, a harrowing accident occurred involving a 61‑year‑old man, identified as Keith McAllister. The tragedy struck when Keith, sporting a heavy 20‑lb weight‑training chain, was brought into the MRI room mid‑scan by a technician to help his wife, Adrienne Jones‑McAllister, get off the table—despite the chain being noticeable and previously discussed 

Despite well-established MRI protocols that mandate the removal of all metal, the powerful magnet instantly drew the chain—and Keith—into the scanner, snapping him around and causing him to collapse. His wife later described the moment vividly:

In that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in and he hit the MRI… He went limp in my arms, and this is still pulsating in my brain

Attempts by Adrienne and the technician to free him were unsuccessful. Keith remained embedded for almost an hourbefore emergency responders managed to cut the chain and release him. During this time, he reportedly suffered multiple heart attacks, and witnesses mention seeing smoke, hinting at a possible emergency shutdown of the MRI’s magnetic field, though this has not been confirmed by authorities.

He was rushed to North Shore University Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries and the heart attacks the following day, July 17.

Family stepdaughter Samantha Bodden has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs; as of July 21, it had raised nearly $7,000.

Authorities—including Nassau County Police and the New York Department of Health—are investigating the incident and reviewing safety protocols. Experts warn that MRI magnets are extremely powerful—strong enough to fling wheelchairs—and even small metal items can become deadly projectiles. Yet facilities like Nassau Open MRI don’t undergo routine inspections, prompting urgent calls for more robust oversight on metal screening and access control.

To date, Nassau Open MRI has not publicly addressed the event.