Did You Know an MRI Magnet Is Powerful Enough to Lift a Car, and Why That’s So Dangerous?

Did You Know an MRI Magnet Is Powerful Enough to Lift a Car, and Why That’s So Dangerous?

When you step into an MRI room, it feels calm and quiet, but you’re actually standing next to one of the most powerful magnets on Earth. The magnetic field inside an MRI machine is strong enough to lift a car, yet precise enough to create detailed images of your brain, spine, or joints without a single incision.

But with such incredible power comes serious risk if safety rules aren’t followed. In 2025, a tragic accident in New York underscored just how dangerous the MRI’s invisible forces can be, and why it’s essential to understand and respect them.

In this post, we’ll explore how strong an MRI’s magnet really is, how it works, what can go wrong, and what lessons we can all learn from recent incidents.

The2025 MRI Accident That Shocked Everyone

In July 2025, at a diagnostic center in Westbury, New York, a 61-year-old man named Keith McAllister died after being pulled violently into an MRI machine.

McAllister entered the scanner room wearing a heavy metal chain around his neck, something staff had previously overlooked during visits. As his wife underwent a knee scan inside the MRI bore, the active magnetic field caught hold of the chain, yanking him toward the machine with enormous force.

Despite desperate efforts to free him, he sustained critical injuries and died shortly afterward in the hospital. This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder: the MRI magnetic field never turns off, and any ferromagnetic object inside its zone can become a dangerous projectile.

How Strong Is an MRI Magnet?

An MRI’s magnet is no ordinary magnet, it’s a superconducting electromagnet, cooled with liquid helium and designed to produce an extremely stable, continuous field.

Here’s how it compares:

Source	Magnetic Field Strength
Earth’s magnetic field	~50 microtesla
Household fridge magnet	~5 millitesla
Clinical MRI machine	1.5 – 3 tesla (T)
Research MRI machines	7 – 11 tesla (T)

That means a standard medical MRI is about 30,000 to 60,000 times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field, more than enough to lift heavy objects or hurl small metal items across the room at deadly speeds.

Why Doesn’t It Actually Lift Cars?

Theoretically, the force inside an MRI could lift a small car, but the machine is designed to confine its field to the immediate area inside the bore and around it. The room is shielded to prevent interference and to minimize stray fields.

In other words: the power is there, but it’s highly concentrated and controlled, unless something ferromagnetic enters its “danger zone.” That’s when accidents happen.

Real-Life Examples of MRI Accidents

Unfortunately, MRI safety incidents are not just theoretical. Here are some striking examples:

1. The Oxygen Tank Incident

In 2001, a six-year-old boy was killed when a steel oxygen tank was mistakenly brought into the MRI room. The tank turned into a high-speed projectile and fatally struck him.

2. The Stretcher Mishap

Hospital reports document cases of stretchers and wheelchairs being dragged across rooms and lodged into scanners because they contained hidden steel parts.

3. The Necklace Tragedy

Most recently, Keith McAllister’s heavy metal chain became a lethal hazard when it was pulled toward the bore, despite prior visits where staff had failed to enforce removal.

These incidents show how the MRI’s magnetic field can turn even small or seemingly harmless objects into deadly missiles.

How Does the MRI Magnet Work?

The MRI magnet is superconducting, meaning it conducts electricity without resistance once cooled near absolute zero. The resulting stable field is always active, even when the machine isn’t scanning.  

When a ferromagnetic object enters this field:

• It becomes magnetized.
• The field pulls it toward the strongest part of the magnet (the bore).
• The object accelerates rapidly, with enough force to injure or kill.

Because of this, MRI facilities strictly control access and enforce screening procedures.

Why Do Hospitals Have MRI Safety Zones?

To reduce risks, MRI rooms follow a four-zone safety model:

• Zone 1: Public area (waiting room).
• Zone 2: Patient screening and prep area.
• Zone 3: Controlled access, only screened individuals allowed.
• Zone 4: The MRI room itself, only trained personnel and cleared patients permitted.

These zones help ensure no ferromagnetic objects accidentally enter the magnetic field.

The power of MRI magnetic field when ferrous materials are close to it (watch video):

Can You Feel the MRI Magnetic Field?

You won’t feel the magnetic field itself , it’s invisible and painless. However, some people experience:

• Dizziness when moving inside the field.
• Metallic taste from ion interactions.
• Flickering lights (magnetophosphenes) due to effects on the eyes.

But the real danger lies in external objects interacting with the field, not your body itself.

How to Stay Safe During an MRI

Before your scan:
1. Remove all metal jewelry, watches, piercings, and hairpins.
2. Inform staff about implants or devices (like pacemakers or hearing aids).
3. Change into hospital-provided clothing to avoid hidden metal threads.
4. Never bring bags, phones, or tools into the room.
5. If you’re unsure about an item, ask before entering Zone 4.

Following these MRI safety rules protects not only you but also staff and the expensive equipment.

Lessons From Recent Incidents

The tragic death of Keith McAllister reminds us that MRI safety cannot rely on assumptions or familiarity. Even if staff has seen you wear a certain item before, it’s critical to follow protocol every single time.

For hospitals:

• Consistent and thorough screening is essential.
• Clear communication about risks must be maintained.
• Staff training should be ongoing to prevent complacency.

For patients:

• Understand that the MRI magnetic field is always on.
• Never assume “small metal” is safe, even tiny items can be hazardous.

Final Thoughts

MRI machines are both life-saving and incredibly powerful. The same magnetic field that creates high-resolution images of our bodies can also cause severe injury or death if not respected.

Think of the MRI as a gentle giant, capable of peering inside the human body without harm, but also strong enough to move mountains (or cars) when mishandled.

Next time you enter an MRI room, remember: the invisible force around you is thousands of times stronger than Earth’s magnetism. Respect it, follow the rules, and you can trust it to safely work its wonders.

Ready to learn more?

We’ll soon publish additional guides on:

• How MRI machines actually create images
• Common myths about MRI safety
• Advances in ultra-high-field MRI technology

Stay tuned!