A tragic incident occurred during a routine MRI exam, resulting in the death of a young boy. Six-year-old Michael Colombini sustained fatal injuries when a metal oxygen tank was propelled by the MRI’s magnetic field, striking and causing severe head trauma. Despite efforts to save him, Michael succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The MRI procedure followed Michael’s surgery for a benign brain tumor. The accident took place at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, just north of New York City. The medical center’s president, Edward Stolzenberg, expressed deep regret over the incident, extending condolences to the family.
MRI scanners use magnetic forces and radio frequencies to generate detailed internal body images for medical diagnosis. While generally safe, rare accidents like this highlight the importance of safety protocols during such procedures.
In a separate incident last year, a 61-year-old man, Keith McAllister, lost his life in a similar MRI accident in Westbury, Long Island. His wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, recounted the tragic events, revealing lapses in safety procedures that led to her husband’s fatal injury.
Patients undergoing MRI scans are typically advised to remove all metal objects due to the machine’s strong magnetic fields. Despite this, Keith was allowed into the room wearing a weight-training chain, which tragically led to the fatal accident.
Adrienne witnessed the horrifying moment when the MRI machine pulled her husband in by his necklace, causing fatal injuries. Despite efforts to free him, Keith suffered heart attacks and passed away shortly after the incident. These incidents underscore the critical importance of adhering to safety guidelines during MRI procedures to prevent such tragic outcomes.