Pirates fan update: Encouraging news emerges on 20-year-old who fell over railing vs. Cubs

Good news emerged Saturday on the Pittsburgh Pirates fan who fell from a 21-foot high wall at PNC Park during a game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday evening. According to an update from a GoFundMe page for Kavan Markwood, the 20-year-old man who slipped off the railing, he is awake and alert.

“After everything he’s been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous,” wrote Jennifer Phillips, the organizer of the GoFundMe page. “He still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we’ve all been holding onto. 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.”

The fall occurred in the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game and caused a stoppage in play as concern grew from those in attendance. Markwood was rushed to Allegheny General Hospital and admitted to the trauma center. He was later revealed to be in critical condition.

It’s certainly good to hear that he has made progress since then and is on his way to recovery. There has been an outpouring of support from all over the country with the GoFundMe page having raised just shy of $30,000.

A Pirates spokesperson said Saturday according to CBS that it conducted an investigation into how the fall occurred. This included speaking with other fans who were seated near the incident and examining credit card statements to determine whether Markwood had purchased any alcohol.

Although the investigation concluded that Markwood did not use his card to but any alcohol, he was in a group of four people. One other person with him had bought seven drinks and it was determined that Markwood had consumed two beers prior to the accident. The spokesperson added they did not believe Markwood was intoxicated at the time of the fall.

“We are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken after the terrible accident that occurred last night. It was one of the most difficult moments many of us have ever experienced,” Pirates owner Bob Nutting said in a statement. “We are devastated. Pirates baseball is a community, and our fans are like family. In times like these, we must come together, support one another, and keep him and his loved ones in our prayers. We also want to thank and appreciate the efforts of the first responders who rushed to his attention and provided him with compassionate care.”