Man sucked Into MRI machine: What happened and what can we learn?
On July 16, 2025, a man wearing a metal chain was sucked into an MRI machine. Here is what we know so far and the MRI safety lessons we can take away:
Latest Update (7/18/25): As of July 17, 2025, the above victim has succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased by hospital officials approximately 20 hours after the initial Long Island MRI accident. We are still awaiting further information as the investigation unfolds, but this is what we know so far.
Click here to receive a free Amazon Prime 30 Day Trial!
Full disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
On the afternoon of July 16, 2025, a man wearing a metal chain was pulled into an MRI machine at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, NY. The incident happened at approximately 4:34 p.m.
Investigators say a 61-year-old Long Island man was hospitalized after he entered the MRI scan room to help a patient off the table. The man wore a large metal chain made of ferrous material. The chain was pulled toward the magnet with force, dragging the man with it. He sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment and listed in critical condition.
A witness reported seeing smoke come from the building during the incident. This may suggest an emergency quench occurred to shut down the MRI magnet and remove the patient, though investigators and the FDA have not confirmed this detail.
Preliminary reports confirm the injured man was not a patient. He had entered the room as a companion to someone receiving a scan.
Officials have not released details about the chain’s size, its exact metal makeup, the magnetic force involved, or the full extent of the man’s injuries. So, what MRI safety lessons can we take away from this?
Updated reports indicate indicate a large metal chain made of ferrous material was around the neck of the victim at the time of the incident. Incident happened in a mobile MRI unit outfitted with a 1.5T MRI magnet. Initial reports listed the victim in critical condition. However, as of July 17, 2025, he was pronounced deceased due to his injuries. We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and all those affected by this tragic incident.
This short video shows the danger of bringing metal items inside the restricted access MRI zone 4.
Keep in mind, this only a small metal clip on a lanyard and not a heavy metal chain.
This is the first MRI accident I’ve come across involving a metal chain worn as jewelry in MRI. While rare, it highlights common themes seen in past MRI safety incidents. There are clear lessons we can take away from what we know so far.
Most recent updates indicate that the victim was wearing the metal chain around their neck at the time of the incident, rather than as jewelry, as initially reported.
I first heard about the event about 24 hours ago. I chose to wait before writing this analysis to ensure we have as many verified facts as possible. It is important to keep in mind the official investigation is still ongoing. The FDA has not released its incident report yet. Because of that, some details may change. However, we can already identify important safety takeaways based on the information available.
Everyone entering the scan room, whether a patient or not, must respect the MRI magnet. This includes caregivers, assistants, and family members. They must follow all instructions from MRI technologists.
Failure to follow commands is not just unsafe—it can be fatal. The consequences are severe. Staff should communicate this clearly and personally to every patient and support person. This conversation should happen one-on-one and highlight the importance of following MRI safety protocols.
The imaging center posted three warning signs:
These signs met or exceeded standard requirements. But they lacked one key element: urgency. None of the signs warned about the severity of ignoring safety rules.
MRI is one of the safest forms of imaging available. But this safety exists only because of strict adherence to safety procedures and ongoing staff training. Current signage standards do not communicate this well.
It may be time to revise industry-wide signage. Warnings should balance clear risk messaging without alarming patients unnecessarily. A more effective sign might say: “MRI Zone: Do Not Enter. Serious Injury or Death Can Occur.”
MRI technologists receive extensive MRI safety training to ensure the safety of everyone in the MRI suite.
The MRI technologists’ instructions are not suggestions.
Every person inside the facility, especially those near the scan room, must listen to and follow staff commands. This is not a matter of policy—it is a matter of MRI physics.
MRI safety zones are designed to control access and reduce the risk of an MRI accident. But the layout of some imaging centers makes this difficult. In many facilities, the scan room sits close to the lobby. This creates confusion about where one zone ends and another begins.
Ideally, physical barriers should separate zones. However, not all facilities can install them due to space or design limitations. In these cases, patients and visitors must recognize and respect safety boundaries.
We do not yet know whether zone confusion played a role in this incident. Still, it’s worth discussing as part of a larger conversation about MRI safety infrastructure.
Officials have not released details about the site layout. Still, this type of event raises important questions about technology use.
Ferromagnetic detectors can help prevent unscreened individuals from entering the scan room.
Devices with clear audio and visual alerts can provide real-time warnings before anyone gets too close to the magnet.
Even a retractable yellow caution belt across the MRI scan room door, or the use of a wand style metal detector can help reduce the rate of MRI safety incidents.
These tools should be part of a multilayered safety approach—not a replacement for training and communication, but a supplement to them. The links above are affiliate links, but I would have recommended those products regardless. I also have to include this:
Full Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
If you are interested in learning more about the best products to help keep MRI patients safe, check out our article MRI Compatible Products Suppliers
Lastly, we still have the unknowns and the developing facts. We still don’t know how the chain directly affected the incident. Was it small and caused the man to trip into the MRI? Or was it large and pulled him with great force and possibly causing him to get stuck? The latter would be a much more serious scenario.
Recent reports indicate a large metal chain made of ferrous material was around the neck of the victim at the time of the incident.
We also don’t know the exact injuries or the chain’s composition. However, incidents like this happen more often than they should. That is why patient education must stay front and center in all imaging environments.
Keep your online privacy safe from third-parties with this special offer! IP masking and military-grade data encryption, while maintaining ultra-fast download speeds. I use Nord 24 hours a day to keep me protected and it’s definitely my preferred choice for a reliable VPN. Full disclosure: As an affiliate, I earn a commission when you purchase through this link.
We will update this article as new details emerge or facts are confirmed. Until then, we hope this incident serves as a reminder of how seriously MRI safety must be taken by everyone involved.
Update (7/17/25): A Long Island man was reportedly pulled into an MRI machine by the metal chain around his neck. Sources say he may have been choked unconscious and is currently in critical condition. This may support the eyewitness account of smoke seen during the incident. We previously speculated the smoke could have resulted from an MRI quench.
Update (7/18/25): As of July 17, 2025, the above victim has succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased by hospital official approximately 20 hours after the initial Long Island MRI accident. We will share more updates as they become available.
Link to Nassau County Police Department press release to Long Island MRI accident: https://www.pdcn.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=14326
Quick Navigation Links
Read more on Larry’s author page.
MRI laser alignment landmark assembly with class 2 laser
CT scan ring artifact explained. CT scan machine pictured left, CT ring artifact example pictured right.
2025 MedicalImagingSource.com – Images available for licensed use. Learn more.
Visual representation of MRI magnetic field lines. License this image
The information provided by MRIPETCTSOURCE (“we,” “us,” or “our”) on https://www.medicalimagingsource.com (the “Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
A UCI research team pioneered X-ray-induced acoustic computed tomography (XACT), a novel imaging modality that…
Home Learning Hub MRI MRI Patient Resources Best MRI-Safe Jewelry & Piercing Retainers (What’s Actually…
Home Learning Hub MRI MRI Patient Resources MRI Laser Positioning: Why MRI Scanners Use Class…
Home Learning Hub CT CT Tech Resources CT Ring Artifacts Explained Everything CT technologists need…
Home Learning Hub Patient Resources Radiology https://www.medicalimagingsource.com/how-x-rays-work X-rays have been an essential diagnostic tool for…
Home Learning Hub Imaging Center Resources Licensable Media Medical Imaging Media Gallery | MRIPETCTSOURCE MRI,…