Man critically injured after falling 30 ft. while running from police outside O'Hare

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 22-year-old man was critically injured while running away from police at O'Hare International Airport.

Officers were chasing the man because he allegedly caused a disturbance at the airport just after 7 p.m. Tuesday. A source told ABC7 that the man was in police custody earlier in the day, but returned.

A witness said he saw a female officer trying to hold onto the man, who was arrested by police. The man was hanging onto the railing as the officer was holding onto him, before falling.

Police said he jumped from the departure lanes outside the upper level of Terminal 3 and fell 30 ft. to the arrival lanes below, outside baggage claim.

He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in critical condition.

Tuesday night, a source told ABC7 Eyewitness News the man died. But police did not confirm that. They said his condition is still critical Wednesday morning.

O'Hare operations were not affected by the incident. But it does explain why traffic was backed up on the arrivals level Tuesday night.

There is little information available about the man who jumped, but airport workers said they see many homeless people at O'Hare and this man looked familiar to them.