A night of baseball excitement turned to tragedy when Kavan Markwood, a 21-year-old Pirates fan, fell from the stands at PNC Park. The McKeesport native suffered severe injuries after tumbling from an upper deck railing during Wednesday’s game against the Cubs.
The accident occurred as Markwood celebrated Andrew McCutchen’s clutch seventh-inning hit. According to witnesses, the young man had been standing on a railing in Section 142 when he lost his balance. He fell approximately 21 feet onto the warning track near the stadium’s iconic Clemente Wall.
My time coming real soon🦍🦍🦍 pic.twitter.com/SN0JYEPklb
— Kavan Markwood🤘🏽🦍 (@KavanMarkwood) December 24, 2021
Medical personnel rushed to the scene, stabilizing Markwood before emergency transport to Allegheny General Hospital. He remains in critical condition as investigators work to determine exactly what happened. Initial reports indicate the fall was accidental, with stadium railings meeting all safety standards.
Markwood’s former coaches describe him as a model student-athlete who excelled both on the football field and in the classroom. The South Allegheny High School graduate had continued his education at Wheeling University, where he earned academic honors.
The Pirates organization released a statement expressing their devastation over the incident. Team chairman Bob Nutting emphasized that the entire Pirates family stands with Markwood and his loved ones during this difficult time. As the community rallies behind the injured young man, the accident serves as a sobering reminder about stadium safety.
