Overview

• The victim, identified by his wife as 61-year-old Keith McAllister, entered an active MRI scan room wearing a 20-lb. metal chain and was pulled into the magnet, suffering fatal injuries.
• McAllister died July 17 at a local hospital after technicians and first responders could not extract him from the machine.
• Nassau County’s homicide squad and the state health department have opened investigations into potential lapses in metal screening and regulatory oversight at the Westbury clinic.
• Nassau Open MRI has not issued a public statement and no charges have been filed as authorities continue probing the incident.
• Experts warn that MRI magnets can turn metal objects into deadly projectiles if strict pre-scan safety protocols are ignored, underscoring gaps in routine facility inspections.