Man dies after heavy weight-training chain around neck pulls him into MRI machine
The man, 61, had entered an MRI room while a scan was underway Wednesday afternoon at Nassau Open MRI. The machine's strong magnetic force drew him in by the metallic chain around his neck, according to a release from the Nassau County Police Department.
He died Thursday afternoon, but a police officer who answered the phone at the Nassau County police precinct where the MRI facility is located said the department had not yet been given permission to release the name Saturday.
Adrienne Jones-McAllister told News 12 Long Island in a recorded interview that she was undergoing an MRI on her knee when she asked the technician to get her husband, Keith McAllister, to help her get off the table. She said she called out to him.
She told News 12 that the technician summoned into the room her husband, who was wearing a 20-pound chain that he uses for weight training, an object they'd had a casual conversation about during a previous visit with comments like: 'Ooooooh, that's a big chain!'
When he got close to her, she said, 'at that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in and he hit the MRI.'
'I said: 'Could you turn off the machine, call 911, do something, Turn this damn thing off!'' she recalled, as tears ran down her face. 'He went limp in my arms.'
She said the technician helped her try to pull her husband off the machine but it was impossible.
'He waved goodbye to me and then his whole body went limp,' Jones-McAllister told the TV outlet.
Jones-McAllister told News 12 that McAllister suffered heart attacks after he was freed from the MRI machine.
A person who answered the phone at Nassau Open MRI on Long Island declined to comment Friday. The phone number went unanswered on Saturday.
It wasn't the first New York death to result from an MRI machine.
In 2001, six-year-old Michael Colombini of Croton-on-Hudson was killed at the Westchester Medical Center when an oxygen tank flew into the chamber, drawn in by the MRI's 10-ton electromagnet.
In 2010, records filed in Westchester County revealed that the family settled a lawsuit for US$2.9 million.
MRI machines 'employ a strong magnetic field' that 'exerts very powerful forces on objects of iron, some steels, and other magnetizable objects,' according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, which says the units are 'strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Cloudbreak Pharma Inc. Announces Positive Phase 2 Results for CBT-004 in Patients with Vascularized Pinguecula
Article content Novel preservative-free CBT-004 eye drop formulation demonstrates statistically significant improvements in conjunctival hyperemia and patient-reported symptoms with excellent safety profile Article content IRVINE, Calif. — Cloudbreak Pharma Inc. a clinical-stage ophthalmology company developing innovative therapies for ocular surface diseases, today announced positive topline results from its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating CBT-004 ophthalmic solution in patients with vascularized pinguecula and associated conjunctival hyperemia. Article content Key Phase 2 Results Article content Primary Endpoint Achieved: Article content Both investigated concentrations of CBT-004 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in conjunctival hyperemia compared to vehicle at Day 28, as assessed by an independent reading center using digital imaging. Article content Rapid Onset and Sustained Efficacy: Article content Significant improvements were observed as early as Day 7 with the highest investigated concentration CBT-004 , with benefits persisting through the 28-day treatment period. Article content Significant Symptom Relief: Article content Both CBT-004 concentrations showed statistically significant improvements in five common patient-reported symptoms including burning/stinging, itching, foreign body sensation, eye discomfort, and pain compared to vehicle. Article content Excellent Safety Profile: Article content No treatment-related adverse events were observed. Most adverse events were mild to moderate. No clinically meaningful changes in visual acuity or intraocular pressure were reported. Article content Addressing a Significant Unmet Medical Need Article content Vascularized pinguecula affects millions of Americans and represents a substantial unmet medical need in ophthalmology. This common, benign conjunctival growth can become problematic when it develops abnormal blood vessels and inflammation, which can lead to persistent redness, irritation, pain, and foreign body sensation. Current management options are limited, with many patients relying on off-label corticosteroids or surgical excision, both of which carry significant limitations and potential complications. Article content Study Design and Results Article content The multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled Phase 2 study enrolled 88 adult patients with vascularized pinguecula and associated conjunctival hyperemia. Participants were randomized to receive one of two concentrations of CBT-004, or vehicle. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in conjunctival hyperemia at Day 28, as measured by an independent reading center using standardized digital imaging protocols. Article content 'There is a significant unmet need for patients suffering from symptomatic pinguecula, as current therapies are largely off-label and may carry safety concerns with long-term use,' said Dr. John Hovanesian, Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and recognized key opinion leader in anterior segment disease. 'The results from this trial are exciting, as they demonstrate that a targeted, non- steroidal therapy can meaningfully improve both the clinical signs and symptoms that impact patients' quality of life.' Article content 'As a principal investigator in this study, I was impressed by the consistency and magnitude of improvement in both objective redness and patient-reported discomfort with CBT-004,' commented Dr. Sherif El-Harazi, Medical Director at Global Research Management. 'The safety profile was excellent, and I believe this therapy could represent a meaningful advance for our patients with vascularized pinguecula.' Article content About CBT-004 Article content CBT-004 is a novel, preservative-free topical ophthalmic solution containing a potent and selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors. The formulation is specifically designed to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and inflammation associated with vascularized pinguecula while minimizing potential ocular surface toxicity through its preservative- free composition. Article content Next Steps and Regulatory Strategy Article content Based on these positive Phase 2 results, Cloudbreak Pharma Inc. plans to advance CBT-004 into Phase 3 development and initiate discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish the regulatory pathway toward potential approval. The company anticipates providing updates on Phase 3 study design and timing in the coming months. Article content Market Opportunity Article content The vascularized pinguecula market represents a significant commercial opportunity with limited therapeutic options. The prevalence of pinguecula increases with age and UV exposure, affecting a substantial portion of the aging population. With no FDA-approved treatments specifically indicated for this condition, CBT-004 has the potential to become a category-defining therapy in this underserved market. Article content About Cloudbreak Pharma Inc. Article content Cloudbreak Pharma Inc. is a clinical-stage ophthalmology company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for ocular surface diseases with high unmet medical need. The company's pipeline focuses on novel treatments targeting inflammation, vascularization, and other pathological processes affecting the ocular surface. Cloudbreak is committed to improving outcomes for patients with challenging eye conditions through scientifically-driven therapeutic development. Article content Forward-Looking Statements Article content This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential therapeutic benefits of CBT-004, the company's clinical development plans, regulatory strategy, and market opportunity. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty of clinical trial results, regulatory approval processes, competitive developments, and other risks detailed in the company's filings. The company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law. Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Contact Information: Article content Article content Cloudbreak Pharma Inc. Article content Article content
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Drowning deaths: Summer 2025 is expected to be worse than last year
A sign translating to 'risk of drowning' is shown next to the St. Lawrence River in, Montreal, Monday, June 26, 2023. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) In Quebec, 37 people have drowned since the beginning of the year, compared to 31 at the same time last year, with rivers being the main location for drownings. As the construction holidays officially begin, CEO and spokesperson for the Lifesaving Society, Raynold Hawkins, stresses there are ways to prevent these tragedies, which kill about 100 people in Canada per year. This week is the 32nd National Drowning Prevention Week (NDPW). Hawkins's first piece of advice is to never be alone when engaging in activities near, in or on the water, so that someone can call for help if necessary or come to the aid of a person in distress. 'This increases the overall concept of water or nautical safety,' he explains. He says it's crucial to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when participating in water activities, which 'will make the difference between a (summer) anecdote and a tragedy' in the event of a fall into the water. While he recommends avoiding swimming in rivers, Hawkins urges swimmers to stay away from rapids and not to underestimate deep currents that can't be perceived on the surface. Swimming near a dam is also a bad idea, lest you get sucked into a vortex generated by the opening of a valve. Hawkins recommends that parents of young children always keep their children within arm's reach and under constant supervision, as infant drowning is a 'silent phenomenon' that can occur in 15 to 20 seconds. 'When you're with children, you have a duty to supervise them at all times,' explains Hawkins. According to the Lifesaving Society, 80 per cent of drownings involving children under the age of 5 were due to absent or distracted supervision. For older children and teenagers, there are two practices to avoid: holding your breath for as long as possible in the water, which can cause asphyxiation and make resuscitation more difficult, and diving into shallow areas. In all cases, Hawkins recommends swimming parallel to the shore rather than out to sea. He notes that more and more newcomers are among the drowning victims. How can we prevent this? For Hawkins, there is no doubt that a large part of the population overestimates their swimming ability. According to him, you need to be able to swim about 15-25 metres to consider yourself capable of swimming in deeper water. Otherwise, Hawkins advises staying where the water is no deeper than your armpits. 'Despite what families tell us, our victims overestimate their ability to swim,' says Hawkins. READ MORE: Body found after man goes missing while swimming at Verdun Beach However, there are some tips to follow if you find yourself in trouble. In the case of rivers, Hawkins recommends lying on your back with your feet forward to avoid colliding with any obstacles, then starting to paddle with your hands to move towards the bank. In the case of still water, once you can no longer touch the bottom, Hawkins advises 'spreading your arms and legs' on your back, lifting your face out of the water, then taking a long breath to fill your lungs and float better. He then recommends starting to paddle with your hands to try to reach the shore. Drowning and global warming Hawkins has no doubt that there is a correlation between the number of drownings and global warming. The hotter it gets, the more people want to cool off wherever they are. 'Our concern is that the global warming we are experiencing may bring forward the season for water-related incidents, just as it may also delay it,' he explains. He adds that the summers of 2012, 2017 and 2020 were extremely hot and also the deadliest in terms of drownings. Each year, more than 70 per cent of drownings occur between May and September, with a peak in July. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French July 20, 2025. Quentin Dufranne, The Canadian Press
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Man dies after heavy weight-training chain around neck pulls him into MRI machine
WESTBURY, N.Y. — A man who was pulled into an MRI machine in New York after he walked into the room wearing a large weight-training chain around his neck has died, according to police and his wife, who told a local television outlet that he waved goodbye before his body went limp. The man, 61, had entered an MRI room while a scan was underway Wednesday afternoon at Nassau Open MRI. The machine's strong magnetic force drew him in by the metallic chain around his neck, according to a release from the Nassau County Police Department. He died Thursday afternoon, but a police officer who answered the phone at the Nassau County police precinct where the MRI facility is located said the department had not yet been given permission to release the name Saturday. Adrienne Jones-McAllister told News 12 Long Island in a recorded interview that she was undergoing an MRI on her knee when she asked the technician to get her husband, Keith McAllister, to help her get off the table. She said she called out to him. She told News 12 that the technician summoned into the room her husband, who was wearing a 20-pound chain that he uses for weight training, an object they'd had a casual conversation about during a previous visit with comments like: 'Ooooooh, that's a big chain!' When he got close to her, she said, 'at that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in and he hit the MRI.' 'I said: 'Could you turn off the machine, call 911, do something, Turn this damn thing off!'' she recalled, as tears ran down her face. 'He went limp in my arms.' She said the technician helped her try to pull her husband off the machine but it was impossible. 'He waved goodbye to me and then his whole body went limp,' Jones-McAllister told the TV outlet. Jones-McAllister told News 12 that McAllister suffered heart attacks after he was freed from the MRI machine. A person who answered the phone at Nassau Open MRI on Long Island declined to comment Friday. The phone number went unanswered on Saturday. It wasn't the first New York death to result from an MRI machine. In 2001, six-year-old Michael Colombini of Croton-on-Hudson was killed at the Westchester Medical Center when an oxygen tank flew into the chamber, drawn in by the MRI's 10-ton electromagnet. In 2010, records filed in Westchester County revealed that the family settled a lawsuit for US$2.9 million. MRI machines 'employ a strong magnetic field' that 'exerts very powerful forces on objects of iron, some steels, and other magnetizable objects,' according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, which says the units are 'strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room.'
