A 61-year-old man in the U.S. tragically died after being pulled into a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine due to failing to remove a metal necklace.

According to NBC News, the fatal accident occurred at Nassau Open MRI, located in Westbury, Nassau County, Long Island. The man, a resident of New York, was pulled into an operating MRI scanner and later died as a result.

The Nassau County Police reported that the man entered the MRI room without removing a large metal chain necklace. The strong magnetic field generated by the operating machine caused him to be forcefully drawn toward it, leading to severe injuries.

He was confirmed dead at the hospital the following day due to the extent of his injuries.

The Nassau Open MRI clinic where the incident occurred. Photo: NBC.

MRI safety regulations strictly prohibit bringing any metal objects into the scan room. Patients are typically asked to change clothes beforehand and are screened for any implants or metal objects in the body.

Regarding MRI safety procedures, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasized:
"Carefully screening people and objects entering the MRI environment is essential to ensure that no item can become a projectile within the magnetic field."