logo
Family reveals horror new detail after husband is sucked into hospital MRI machine by his huge 20lb chain and killed

Family reveals horror new detail after husband is sucked into hospital MRI machine by his huge 20lb chain and killed

The Irish Sun6 days ago
A MAN who tragically died after being pulled into an MRI machine by his 20-pound chain was stuck to the machine for an hour before being freed, his family claims.
Keith McAllister, 61,
was undergoing an MRI scan
at a clinic on New York's Long Island on Wednesday afternoon.
4
Keith McAllister, 61, died after being pulled into an MRI machine by his necklace
Credit: Enterprise
4
Keith's family say he was stuck to the machine for an hour
Credit: Enterprise
4
His wife Adrienne Jones-McAllister recounted the freak accident to local media
Credit: 12 News Long Island
Keith's wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, was at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury for a scan of her knee when the incident unfolded.
In a
She wrote: "While my mother was laying on the table, the technician left the room to get her husband to help her off the table.
"He forgot to inform him to take the chain he was wearing from around his neck off when the magnet sucked him in.
Read more world news
"My mother and the tech tried for several minutes to release him before the police were called.
"He was attached to the machine for almost an hour before they could release the chain from the machine."
The grieving daughter went on to explain that Keith suffered several heart attacks after the incident.
She added that, despite reports claiming Keith wasn't authorised to be in the room, it was the technician who brought him in.
Most read in The US Sun
Wife Adrienne previously told
News
12 Long Island that she asked the technician to bring her husband to hep her get up from the table.
Keith was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck - which turned into a "torpedo" and caused him to be pulled off his feet and into the machine.
Man who died after being sucked into MRI machine 'was brought into room by technician' before 'going limp in wife's arms
Adrienne said she saw the scanning device "snatch him" as he approached her.
"At that instant, the machine switched him around, pulled him in, and he hit the MRI," she said, adding, "He went limp in my arms, and this is still pulsating in my brain."
Adrienne recounted the agonising moments when she told the technician to turn off the machine and call 911.
She revealed that it was not the first time the pair had visited Nassau Open MRI, even claiming that the staff member had previously discussed Keith's huge chain.
Keith used the chain regularly for weight training, his wife said.
The powerful magnetic field generated by an MRI machine can pull metal objects in with great force.
For this reason, patients are asked to remove metal items and change their clothes before having MRI scans or going near machines.
Dr. Payal Sud, a doctor from North Shore University Hospital, told
"If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries."
North Shore says that MRI machines can be especially dangerous for people with oxygen tanks, in wheelchairs or even those wearing magnetic jewelry.
4
Keith wore the chain regularly during weight training, his wife said
Credit: Enterprise
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Throat cancer: "I noticed the lump while swallowing"
Throat cancer: "I noticed the lump while swallowing"

Irish Examiner

time3 days ago

  • Irish Examiner

Throat cancer: "I noticed the lump while swallowing"

Almost 800 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year, according to the National Cancer Registry 2024 Report. They include cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, salivary glands, nasal cavity, sinuses, and middle ear. Because more than two-thirds of patients are diagnosed with late-stage head and neck cancer, Ireland's five-year survival rate is just 48%. Professor Sinéad Brennan, a radiation oncologist at St Luke's and St James's Hospitals in Dublin and chair of the Head and Neck Cancer Disease-Specific Subgroup at Cancer Trials Ireland, aims to improve this statistic by educating people on the early warning signs. 'Through prevention and early detection, we could prevent so many more people from dying of head and neck cancer,' she says. 'If you've got a lump in your throat that doesn't go away, a persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing or hoarseness that goes on longer for three or four weeks, pay a visit to your GP.' It was a lump in his throat that prompted 58-year-old Mike Freeney from Castleconnell, Co Limerick, to visit his doctor in 2022. 'It was a small lump that made swallowing not difficult but different,' says the head of business development in Ireland for construction company Kiely Brothers and former ultra runner. 'My wife had also heard a crackle in my breath, and while I was out running with my training group, I'd started finding it hard to keep up. My breathing seemed to be off.' Blood tests, CAT, PET, and MRI scans followed. Freeney was diagnosed with throat cancer and started treatment. He did 35 radiation sessions in the Mater Private in Limerick and six chemotherapy sessions in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The gruelling treatment took a toll on his body. 'I was unable to speak for three weeks, and that was hard for a non-stop talker like me,' he jokes. 'Even now, I have to be careful. My voice gets croaky if I talk a lot, so I make sure to keep drinking water to prevent that from happening.' Mike Freeney: 'When I'm alone with the pain in the darkness, I can't help but worry. And when I'm due to go for a scan or waiting for results, I feel a sense of dread. But that's a mental thing I have to get over.' Picture: Brendan Gleeson Eating was even more challenging as the radiation caused painful sores in his mouth, and for weeks around the time of the treatment, all he could bear to eat were high-calorie shakes. Although he can now eat normally, his taste buds have been permanently altered. 'I used to like chocolate, but now I think it tastes horrible,' he says. 'And I still have difficulty eating dry food. I need to add gravy or sauce, otherwise I can't eat it.' One of the side effects of radiation is that it can cause muscles to become stiff and sore. 'It made my whole body feel tight,' says Freeney. 'I worked with a cancer rehabilitation physiotherapist to help me deal with it.' Like all cancer patients, he also underwent regular scans to monitor his recovery. The throat cancer disappeared following the initial treatment, but a year or so later, a cancerous growth unrelated to this throat cancer was found on his spine, which required further radiation treatment. 'That seemed to work, but when I went back for another scan in November 2023, there were small cancerous nodules in my lungs and two more small ones on my spine,' he says. 'So I did 10 more rounds of radiation and started immunotherapy. As of August 2024, my throat, lungs and spine are clear of cancer, and everything seems stable.' He acknowledges that he is still reeling from the physical and psychological aftermath of his experience. Physically, he regularly experiences pain in the parts of his body that were treated with radiation and he has ongoing physiotherapy and attends yoga classes to help deal with it. There are times when the pain makes him worry the cancer is back. 'Especially if I'm lying awake at night,' he says. 'When I'm alone with the pain in the darkness, I can't help but worry. And when I'm due to go for a scan or waiting for results, I feel a sense of dread. But that's a mental thing I have to get over.' He attended counselling in the oncology support centre in UHL and found it very helpful. It taught him to reassure himself with the thought that he has already overcome cancer more than once. 'I tell myself that it's not necessarily a death sentence if the cancer comes back and that I'm doing what I can to keep my body healthy by eating well and exercising,' he says. 'I can no longer go on ultra runs and I miss the challenge of them but I'm getting into cycling instead.' Freeney also goes to the doctor whenever he genuinely thinks there might be something wrong. He advises everyone else to do so, too. 'Listen to your own body and advocate for your health,' he says. 'Ask questions and don't stop asking them until you get proper answers.' Professor Sinead Brennan Brennan adds that there are other things we can all do to reduce our risk of head and neck cancer. 'The HPV virus causes a subset of head and neck cancer that occurs in the tonsils or back of throat, and the National Cancer Registry shows there are approximately 200 cases of these cancers every year,' she says. 'The HPV vaccine that is given to boys and girls in first year of secondary school will help prevent these cancers as well as cervical, vulval, vaginal, penile, and anal cancers. All teenagers should be encouraged to get this vaccine.' Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are two of the other major risk factors. 'If people smoke less and reduce their alcohol intake, they can significantly reduce their risk of head and neck cancer,' says Brennan. As for Freeney, he is now focusing on the positive impact of his cancer experience and not on the negative. 'The mental impact of cancer is tough but if you get through it, it can make you stronger,' he says. 'It has made me more appreciative of what I have. It has made me want to really live my life.' Sunday, July 27, is World Head and Neck Cancer Day. It's a day devoted to raising awareness of these cancers, their risk factors and the importance of early detection. If you have questions or concerns about cancer, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit

€1.9m settlement for boy injured at birth after alleged Caesarean delay due to doctors' row
€1.9m settlement for boy injured at birth after alleged Caesarean delay due to doctors' row

The Journal

time5 days ago

  • The Journal

€1.9m settlement for boy injured at birth after alleged Caesarean delay due to doctors' row

A BOY BORN in Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise who was allegedly delivered after a delayed Caesarean Section and who suffered 'severe personal injury' has had a €1.9M settlement in his favour approved by the High Court. The now 16-year-old was born in January 2009 at the hospital, which has been subject to investigation over patient safety. The child's mother sued the HSE on behalf of her son for alleged medical negligence for what she said was a breach of statutory duty to adequately provide medical services to her and her son in 2009 at the Co Laois hospital. The court heard that the mother was due to give birth in January 2009, and had attended all of her antenatal appointments, culminating with a clinic at the hospital four days after her due date. No 'significant abnormal conditions in relation to the pregnancy were present' at that point. The mother was admitted to hospital five days after her due date, but had 'slow and irregular' pain. A cardiotocography trace (CTG) was carried out and was found to be 'abnormal', as the unborn baby displayed 'frequent decelerations' in his heart rate. However, despite the abnormal readings, the CTG was discontinued. A second CTG was carried out at 8.45am the same morning that showed decelerations and abnormalities up to around 12.30pm. It was claimed the drug Oxytocin was then administered by injection to speed up labour. It was claimed that the readings from the CTG were not reproduced in a legible fashion and were difficult to interpret. A decision was made to deliver the child by emergency Caesarean Section and he was born at 1.36pm, allegedly 80 minutes after a decision to perform the Caesarean was made – 50 minutes outside the usual timeframe. It was claimed that the newborn then suffered 'extreme difficulties' with breathing, due to hypoxia, and that there was a delay in his resuscitation. In addition, an altercation between members of the hospital staff occurred during the attempts at resuscitation, it was alleged. During a second attempt at intubation, a doctor was interrupted by an anaesthetic doctor without invitation who attempted to force an oxygen mask on the child, it was claimed. Advertisement It was alleged that the anaesthetist 'brushed aside' the attending doctor and raised his voice, shouting 'for fuck sake just bag him'. The doctor was eventually able to drain meconium – a baby's first stool – from the child through suction, after which safe intubation was performed. The doctor, it was submitted, was 'considerably interrupted in his attempts to intubate and resuscitate the plaintiff by actions of the anaesthetist doctor'. In the aftermath of his birth, the newborn was noted as being in pain, jaundiced, vomiting with streaks of blood, having hypoxic metabolic acidosis, high blood pressure and was in need of ventilation. He spent 11 days in intensive care, and an MRI scan showed his kidney and brain had an infarct resulting in 'severe personal injuries', it was claimed. At the High Court today, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told by John Healy SC, instructed by David O'Malley of Callan Tansey solicitors, for the plaintiff, that a final settlement of €1.9M for breaches of duty by the defendant, albeit without an admission of liability, could be recommended to the court for what he said was the child's 'turbulent' introduction to the world. Mr Justice Coffey approved the settlement and addressed the plaintiff, who was present in court, saying he was pleased to see him 'looking so well and I wish you all the best for the future'. 'Second-tier maternity system' Reacting to the settlement, solicitor David O'Malley, in a statement on behalf the family, said: 'The family welcomes the settlement and for the security it will provide [the plaintiff]. 'They would like to acknowledge the efforts of the State Claims Agency and their legal representatives in facilitating mediation to resolve this case. The purpose of civil society is to prevent similar events recurring. 'The family questioned the birth, having witnessed the Portlaoise maternity enquiry and the aftermath in 2012. 'Unfortunately, the same avoidable failings, namely delayed delivery, inadequate CTG (cardiotocography) tracing and misuse of Oxytocin still remain as main causes of hypoxia in Irish infants in 2025. 'Also, in the year 2025 there are no cooling units to counteract hypoxia in infants outside of Cork and Dublin. 'It truly is a second-tier maternity system outside of The Pale. 'The family echoes calls by advocate groups to urgently review maternity care in Ireland. One cannot think of a more important right than the right to breathe and be protected at birth,' said Mr O'Malley. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal

Boy who suffered 'severe personal injury' after alleged Caesarean delay settles case against hospital for €1.9m
Boy who suffered 'severe personal injury' after alleged Caesarean delay settles case against hospital for €1.9m

Irish Examiner

time5 days ago

  • Irish Examiner

Boy who suffered 'severe personal injury' after alleged Caesarean delay settles case against hospital for €1.9m

A boy born in Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, who was allegedly delivered after a delayed Caesarean section amid rowing doctors, and who suffered "severe personal injury", has had a €1.9m settlement in his favour approved by the High Court. The now 16-year-old was born on January 30, 2009, at the hospital. His mother sued the HSE on behalf of her son for breach of statutory duty — alleged medical negligence — to adequately provide medical services to her and her son in 2009 at the Co Laois hospital. It was submitted she was due to give birth around January 25, 2009, and had attended all of her antenatal appointments, culminating with a clinic at the hospital on January 29, 2009, when no "significant abnormal conditions in relation to the pregnancy were present". She was admitted to the hospital on January 30, 2009, five days after her due date, but had "slow and irregular" pain. A cardiotocography trace (CTG) was carried out and was found to be "abnormal", as the unborn baby displayed "frequent decelerations" in his heart rate. However, despite the abnormal readings, the CTG was discontinued. A second CTG was carried out at 8.45am the same morning that showed decelerations and abnormalities up to about 12.30pm. It was claimed that then a syntocinon treatment — an injection involving the drug Oxycontin — was administered to augment labour. It was claimed the readings from the CTG were not reproduced in a legible fashion and were difficult to interpret. A decision was made to deliver the boy by emergency Caesarean section, and the boy was born at 1.36pm, allegedly 80 minutes after a decision to perform the Caesarean was made — 50 minutes outside the usual timeframe. It was claimed the boy then suffered "extreme difficulties" with breathing, due to hypoxia, and there was a delay in his resuscitation. In addition, an altercation between members of the hospital staff occurred during the attempts at resuscitation of the plaintiff, it was alleged. During a second attempt at intubation, a doctor was interrupted by an anaesthetic doctor without invitation, who attempted to force an oxygen mask on the child, it was claimed. It was alleged the anaesthetist "brushed aside" the attending doctor and raised his voice, shouting "for fuck sake just bag him". The doctor was eventually able to drain meconium — a baby's first stool — from the child through suction, after which safe intubation was performed. The doctor, it was submitted, was "considerably interrupted in his attempts to intubate and resuscitate the plaintiff by actions of the anaesthetist doctor". In the aftermath of his birth, the plaintiff was noted as being in pain, jaundiced, vomiting with streaks of blood, having hypoxic metabolic acidosis, high blood pressure and in need of ventilation. The plaintiff spent 11 days in intensive care, and an MRI scan showed the plaintiff's kidney and brain had an infarct, resulting in "severe personal injuries", it was claimed. At the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told by John Healy SC, instructed by David O'Malley of Callan Tansey solicitors, for the plaintiff, that a final settlement of €1.9m for breaches of duty by the defendant, albeit without an admission of liability, could be recommended to the court for what he said was the boy's "turbulent" introduction to the world. Mr Justice Coffey approved the settlement and addressed the boy, who was present in court, saying he was pleased to see him "looking so well and I wish you all the best for the future".

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store