Prisoner who escaped from Temple Hospital recaptured in North Philly, police say

A man who was being held in police custody briefly escaped from officers at Temple University Hospital on Thursday morning before being recaptured a few miles away.

According to police, at about 6:15 a.m., a 51-year-old man who was being held in police custody — who officials did not immediately identify — and was in the process of being discharged from Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia when he removed his handcuffs.

Once his handcuffs were removed, officials said, the man fled in an unknown direction.

However, police immediately began a search for this individual and, officials said, he was recaptured at the intersection of Broad Street and Erie Avenue in North Philadelphia, about three miles from the hospital, by officers with SEPTA’s police force at about 7:45 a.m.

Officials did not immediately say why the man was in custody or if he would face new charges for the escape attempt.

But, they said, an investigation into this incident is ongoing.

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.