TAIPEI • It is common for couples to have the occasional squabble, but a quarrel between a man and his wife landed both of them in hospital.

A Chinese-American man, identified only as Mr Wan, 32, had a heated argument with his spouse, Ms Chang, 33, at Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport early on Monday morning.

When they reached a stairway on the fourth floor, he scooped her up and tossed her over the guardrails.

Ms Chang hit a side wall in the 15m fall before she was caught by a safety net, Taiwanese media reported.

Shortly after she fell, Mr Wan leapt over the guardrails and landed on top of her.

Ms Chang lost consciousness from her head injuries, while her husband suffered fractured ribs.

The bloodied pair were later freed from the safety net by airport security staff and taken to Min-Sheng General Hospital for treatment.

According to Taiwanese police, the incident took place at the departure hall of Terminal 2.

The couple, who had flown to Taiwan to visit Ms Chang's family for Chinese New Year, had an argument over domestic affairs.

When the incident happened, Ms Chang was trying to stop her husband from returning to the United States, where they are based.

On Tuesday, Apple Daily Taiwan reported that Ms Chang has regained consciousness and her vital signs are stable. Mr Wan, who has since been discharged from hospital, is now under investigation for attempted homicide.

When reporters asked why he threw his wife off the stairway, the agitated man said: "I died today. I don't have a tomorrow."

He also refused to cooperate with Taiwanese police, and said repeatedly: "I'm an American citizen - Trump, please save me."

ASIAONE