Man pulled into MRI by necklace, critical in New York

On Wednesday afternoon, a scary accident happened at Nassau Open MRI, a medical centre in New York. A 61-year-old man went into an MRI room while a scan was happening. This man was wearing a big metal chain necklace. As soon as he entered, the MRI machine's strong magnetic force pulled him in because of his metal necklace.

How Do MRI Machines Work?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. These machines are used in hospitals and diagnostic centres to scan inside the body. They help doctors see detailed pictures of bones, organs, and tissues without surgery. But MRI machines use very strong magnets. The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering says the magnets in MRI machines are so powerful that they can easily pull objects made of iron or steel. In fact, they are strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room if it goes too close.

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Why Did the Incident Happen?

Usually, people are told never to enter an MRI room with any metal items, such as jewellery, chains, coins, keys, or even metal buttons on clothes. This is because the magnets attract metal things with huge force, which can cause injuries or dangerous accidents. In this case, the man wearing the large metal chain necklace entered the MRI room when the machine was already scanning someone. The strong magnetic force instantly pulled him in by his necklace.

What Happened to the Man?

Police from Nassau County shared that the man suffered a “medical episode” because of the accident. The force of the MRI pulling his chain was very powerful. It left him injured and he had to be taken to the hospital. As of Friday, he was in critical condition. The police did not share his name, and no further update on his health has been released yet.

What Did the MRI Centre Say?

A news agency tried calling the Nassau Open MRI centre to ask about the incident. However, the person who answered the phone refused to comment and did not share any details about what exactly went wrong. There is still no public statement from the MRI centre about how the man was allowed to enter with his necklace or whether there was a staff mistake.

How Dangerous Are MRI Machines with Metal?

Many people do not realise how dangerous metal can be near MRI machines. The magnetic force is so strong that:

• It can pull wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, or metal trolleys across the room.

• It can turn small objects like keys or coins into dangerous flying objects.

• Even small metal pieces inside the body, like surgical implants or metal pins, can be affected and cause serious injury.

This is why all hospitals and MRI centres ask patients and visitors to remove every metal item before entering the MRI room.

Similar Past Incidents

This is not the first time such an accident has happened. In some countries, there have been cases where:

• Hospital workers were injured because they forgot to remove metal tools from their pockets.

• Patients with metal implants faced health problems because of MRI scans.

• In India, a man died when he entered an MRI room with an oxygen cylinder, which was pulled by the magnetic force, causing injuries.

What Can We Learn from This Incident?

This incident is a reminder for everyone that MRI rooms are not like normal rooms. They are very risky if safety rules are not followed. It is important to:

• Always listen to the medical staff before entering an MRI room.

• Remove all metal items, including jewellery, watches, belts, and even hairpins.

• Inform doctors if you have any metal implants or medical devices inside your body.

• Never enter an MRI room if you are not allowed, especially when the machine is on.

The Man’s Current Condition

Right now, the 61-year-old man is still in the hospital. Doctors are trying their best to help him recover. The police have not shared his name to protect his privacy. People are hoping he will get better soon. It is still not clear if anyone will be held responsible for the accident or if the MRI centre will take strict steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

Accidents like this show that rules at hospitals and diagnostic centres are made for our safety. MRI machines are amazing tools that help doctors save lives, but if not used carefully, they can cause serious harm. Always remember to follow safety instructions and never ignore warnings about metal items near MRI machines.