Long Island Man Killed After Chain Necklace Pulled Into MRI Machine in Tragic Medical Accident

Long Island, NY — A 61-year-old Long Island man is dead following a shocking and preventable accident inside an MRI room that has left a community stunned and raised serious concerns about safety protocols in medical facilities.

Keith McAllister, a well-known local resident, was violently pulled into an MRI machine by the metal training chain around his neck after entering the scan room to assist his wife. The powerful magnetic force of the machine triggered a catastrophic chain of events, ultimately leading to his death.

The incident occurred as McAllister’s wife, Adrienne, was completing a routine MRI scan. According to preliminary reports, Adrienne needed help getting off the table after the procedure, and a technician allegedly allowed Keith to enter the MRI suite, despite him still wearing a 20-pound metal chain — a severe violation of standard MRI safety protocols.

A Fatal Oversight

As McAllister stepped into the scan room, the MRI machine’s magnetic field immediately attracted the heavy chain, dragging him forward with immense force. Witnesses say he was slammed into the machine, sustaining devastating internal injuries. He went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died after suffering multiple heart attacks.

“It was like watching something out of a nightmare,” said one source familiar with the case. “Everything happened in seconds — and it should never have happened at all.”

MRI Safety Rules Ignored

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines are known for producing some of the strongest magnetic fields in any medical setting. Hospitals and imaging centers are required to enforce strict screening protocols, barring any metallic objects — from jewelry and keys to wheelchairs and oxygen tanks — from entering the scan room. These protocols are considered non-negotiable due to the extreme danger they are designed to prevent.

Allowing someone into the room with a large, metallic item such as a weighted chain is a direct breach of those procedures. Industry experts say the fact that a non-patient was allowed into the MRI suite wearing metal suggests serious training or oversight failures.

“This is not just tragic — it’s unacceptable,” said a radiologic safety consultant familiar with MRI standards. “There are well-established guidelines that exist to prevent exactly this kind of incident.”

Family Devastated, Investigation Underway

The McAllister family is grieving what they describe as a senseless loss. Keith was known in the community as a devoted husband, health-conscious individual, and generous friend. He reportedly wore the weighted chain as part of his regular strength training routine and had no idea it posed a danger that day.

“He walked into that room to help the woman he loved,” said a family friend. “Keith died doing what came naturally to him — being there for Adrienne.”

The name of the medical facility where the incident occurred has not been released, but a full investigation is now underway. Authorities are looking into whether safety signs were properly posted, whether staff were adequately trained, and whether the facility met state and federal safety standards.

Civil litigation is likely, and depending on findings, criminal charges could follow if negligence is confirmed.

A Wake-Up Call for the Medical Industry

Medical professionals across the country are pointing to this tragedy as a sobering reminder of the power — and danger — of MRI machines when safety procedures are not strictly followed.

“This is why we have protocols,” said one hospital safety officer not affiliated with the case. “One misstep, one overlooked detail, and someone’s life can be lost.”

As the investigation continues, the McAllister family is left trying to make sense of how such a routine medical visit could result in such unimaginable loss.

What You Should Know: MRI Safety

• Never bring metal objects into or near an MRI room.
• Even small items — such as coins, zippers, or hearing aids — can become dangerous projectiles.
• Facilities are required to screen all patients and visitors.
• If you’re unsure, always ask medical staff before approaching the scan area.