URGENT UPDATE: A tragic accident at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, NY, has resulted in the death of a 61-year-old man, identified as Keith McAllister. The incident occurred on July 16, 2023, around 4:30 p.m., when McAllister was pulled into an MRI scanner while trying to assist his wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, after her procedure.
According to multiple reports, McAllister was wearing a 20-pound chain used for weight training when he entered the MRI room. His wife called for him to help her off the machine once her MRI was completed. In an emotional interview with News12 Long Island, Jones-McAllister recounted the horrifying moment, stating, “In that instant, the machine twisted him around, pulled him in, and he hit the MRI.”
Despite the MRI technician’s presence, the heavy chain around McAllister’s neck was overlooked. Jones-McAllister desperately urged the technician to shut off the machine and call 911. “I said, ‘Could you turn off the machine, call 911, do something! Turn this damn thing off!’,” she explained.
The magnetic force of MRI machines is incredibly strong, capable of attracting objects from across the room, as noted by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging. Medical professionals routinely instruct patients to remove all jewelry and piercings before entering the MRI, and those with iron implants are advised against undergoing the procedure altogether.
McAllister was rushed to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to multiple heart attacks, passing away on July 17, 2023, just after 2:30 p.m.. “He went limp in my arms, and this is still pulsating in my brain,” Jones-McAllister expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of the incident.
The Nassau County Police Department is currently investigating what they describe as a devastating accident. As of now, Nassau Open MRI has not responded to requests for comments from both the New York Times and News12.
This incident raises serious questions about safety protocols in medical imaging centers. As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the loss and the tragic circumstances surrounding McAllister’s death.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
