A festive atmosphere at PNC Park turned somber Wednesday night when a fan fell from the stands during the Pirates-Cubs matchup. Kavan Markwood, a 21-year-old McKeesport resident, was seriously injured after plunging from an upper-level railing near right field.
The accident happened as Markwood celebrated Andrew McCutchen’s seventh-inning double. Witnesses reported the young man had been standing on the railing in Section 142 when he lost his footing. He fell about 21 feet onto the warning track behind the Clemente Wall, a stadium feature honoring Pirates icon Roberto Clemente.
My time coming real soon🦍🦍🦍 pic.twitter.com/SN0JYEPklb
— Kavan Markwood🤘🏽🦍 (@KavanMarkwood) December 24, 2021
Emergency crews responded immediately, carefully stabilizing Markwood before transporting him to Allegheny General Hospital. As of Thursday morning, he remained in critical condition. Preliminary investigations suggest the fall was accidental, with stadium officials noting the railing exceeded safety requirements.
The incident has prompted discussions about spectator safety at sporting events. Meanwhile, Markwood’s community has mobilized to support the former South Allegheny High School athlete. Coaches remember him as a hardworking student who earned conference academic honors while playing college football.
Pirates officials expressed their heartbreak over the accident, with team chairman Bob Nutting calling it “devastating for our entire organization.” The baseball community now joins Markwood’s hometown in praying for his recovery after this shocking turn of events.
