Long Island Man Dies After MRI Accident Due to Metal Chain

A 61-year-old man from Long Island died following a bizarre MRI incident involving a large metal chain. His family alleges that he was led into the MRI room by a technician who forgot to instruct him to remove his jewelry, leading to him being pulled into the machine by the powerful magnetic field.

Keith McAllister suffered multiple heart attacks and was stuck to the MRI apparatus for nearly an hour before he could be detached. His daughter, Samantha Bodden, described how efforts by staff to free him failed for several minutes until police intervention was required. She also mentioned that the technician was aware McAllister was wearing the chain but neglected to inform him to remove it.

“He was attached to the machine for almost an hour before they could release the chain,” she stated. The family emphasizes that McAllister had entered the room with his wife, who was there for a knee scan, and that he was under supervision at all times during the incident.

X-ray room door with warning signs — McAllister’s family claims the MRI staff knew about the chain but failed to prevent the accident.

The technician reportedly brought McAllister into the room without instructing him to remove his necklace. Despite efforts to release him for several minutes, it wasn’t until police arrived that the chain was finally detached from the MRI magnet.

Exterior view of Nassau Open MRI — McAllister was stuck to the MRI for an extended period before a proper release was achieved.

The incident highlights the dangers of metal objects near MRI machines, which can be forcibly pulled by the magnetic field or even heat up, causing burns. Jones-McAllister shared that her husband’s heart attacks were directly related to the trauma from the incident, which ultimately resulted in his untimely death.