Shocking New Details of New York Man Who Died After Being Sucked Into MRI Machine

After a 61-year-old man was pulled into an MRI machine in New York, many are wondering if his death was ultimately preventable. Here’s everything we know about the death of Keith McAllister.

Family Hires a Lawyer

It’s been over a week since McAllister died following the July 16 incident. Now, his family has obtained legal representation, and it seems they’re prepping to take action.

According to the New York Post, Michael Lauterborn, the attorney for McAllister’s widow Adrienne Jones-McAllister, said “This heartbreaking incident highlights the critical importance of safety protocols in medical imaging facilities.” He continued, “The family and our legal team are dedicated to assisting the appropriate authorities in their investigation and in efforts to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

Routine MRI Turns Fatal

McAllister’s wife, Jones-McAllister, told News 12, she went in for an MRI on for a scan on her knee at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, Long Island. She was accompanied by her husband, who was initially in the waiting room area during her appointment.

According to her, she asked the technician to get her husband to help her off the table after the MRI was complete. He was eventually brought into the room and that’s when his chain got caught in the machine.

“My mother and the tech tried for several minutes to release him before the police were called,” a GoFundMe in McAllister’s honor read. After an hour of him being attached to the MRI, the machine was turned off. And by then, McAllister was already severely injured. “He went limp in my arms, and this is still pulsating in my brain,” Jones-McAllister said.

The 61-year-old was rushed to a nearby hospital where he remained in critical condition. Jones-McAllister said he suffered several heart attacks before dying the following day on Thursday (July 17).

“I haven’t been able to sleep, I’m barely eating. I just can’t believe,” she said. “I’m just trying to wrap my head around the whole thing.”

Typical MRI Procedure

MRI, which stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, lets off a strong magnetic field. Because of that, patients going in for a scan are required to inform their doctors and technicians of any possible medical implants and to remove all metal materials prior to stepping in the room with the machine, including jewelry.

“Metal in a room that has the magnet will fly across the room to the scanner, to this large magnet, and will really hit anything in its way,” Dr. Rebecca Smith-Bindman, a radiologist, told CNN.

Despite the clear protocol, the victim’s wife said her husband had worn his chain in the MRI room before. “That was not the first time that guy has seen that chain,” she said. “They had a conversation about it before.”

Conflicting Accounts

Nassau police said a witness told them McAllister defied orders to stay out of the MRI room after hearing a “relative screaming during a scan,” CBS News reported. But this is a much different story than the one McAllister’s family tells.

According to them, the technician forgot to remind McAllister to take off his chain, but he was allowed by the technician inside the room to assist his wife. An investigation into the matter remains ongoing.