Fallen Pirates fan 'awake, alert,' statement reads

Field Level Media|published: Sun 4th May, 02:17 2025

Apr 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Stadium security and Pittsburgh Pirates medical personnel cart a fan who fell from the stands to the field to an ambulance as the Pirates batted against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inningat PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates fan who plunged 21 feet onto the warning track in right field at PNC Park this week is recovering, according to a statement on Saturday that accompanied his GoFundMe page.

Kavan Markwood, a 20-year-old who was at Wednesday night's game between the Pirates and visiting Chicago Cubs and was sitting in the front row, put both hands on the rail in front of him and inexplicably went over it.

Markwood laid motionless while the medical teams from both the Pirates and the Cubs attended to him, and he was taken to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition.

Jennifer Phillips, who organized the fundraising website for Markwood, said he was "awake, alert, and able to speak.

"After everything he's been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous," Phillips added.

"He still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we've all been holding onto," Phillips said. "Thank you all so much for your prayers, support, and generosity. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts as he begins the next phase of recovery."

There was no immediate update to Markwood's condition or the reason for his fall, but Pittsburgh Public Safety is treating the incident as accidental.

--Field Level Media

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