A 61-year-old man tragically lost his life after being pulled into an active MRI machine at a medical facility in Westbury, Long Island, New York, while wearing a heavy metal chain.

According to Nassau County Police, the man whose identity has not been officially released entered the MRI room at Nassau Open MRI without authorization while the machine was still running. He was reportedly wearing a 20-pound (9kg) metallic necklace, which triggered a fatal incident due to the machine’s powerful magnetic field.

Authorities said the force of the magnet drew the man into the scanner, leading to what they described as a “medical episode.” He was rushed to the hospital but died the following day, on Thursday.

MRI machines use powerful magnets to create detailed internal images of the body, and strict safety protocols are in place to prevent metallic objects from being brought near the equipment due to the risk of serious injury or death.

Patients are usually required to remove all metal items and change into approved garments before undergoing scans.

Adrienne Jones-McAllister, who identified the victim as her husband, Keith, spoke emotionally to News 12 Long Island. She said she was undergoing an MRI on her knee when she asked her husband to assist her after the scan.

"He was just trying to help me up," she said tearfully. "Then, in a split second, the machine pulled him in. He waved at me, and then his body just went limp."

Jones-McAllister added that her husband often wore the heavy chain for weight training. In the chaos, she pleaded with staff to turn the machine off and call for emergency assistance.

“I was yelling, ‘Turn this thing off! Call 911!’” she recounted.

The incident has sparked renewed concern about MRI safety protocols. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that MRI machines generate strong magnetic fields capable of turning even small metallic items like keys or mobile phones into dangerous projectiles.

This latest case recalls a similar tragedy in 2001, when a six-year-old boy died after an oxygen tank was inadvertently pulled into an MRI machine at a New York City hospital, causing fatal injuries.

Nassau County Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the latest incident. The facility, Nassau Open MRI, has not yet issued a public statement.