Scan mishap kills child in New York hospital

A child undergoing an MRI scan in a New York hospital suffered a fatal head wound when the machine's powerful magnet pulled an oxygen cylinder inside.

Westchester Medical Centre said the child, whom it did not identify by name, sex or age, died on Monday.

The child, sedated after surgery, was inside the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machine when the 10,160kg electromagnet sucked in the metal canister.

Centre head Edward Stolzenberg said it accepted full responsibility.

The centre and state Health Department are investigating.