Extent of injuries suffered by fan who fell at PNC Park is revealed

Kavan Markwood predictably suffered some serious injuries during his fall at PNC Park last week, but he at least appears to be making good progress in his recovery.

Jennifer Phillips, who is the organizer of a GoFundMe page that was set up for Markwood, provided an update this week on the 20-year-old (who fell more than 20 feet from an outfield wall during a Pittsburgh Pirates-Chicago Cubs game on Apr. 30). Phillips posted that Markwood suffered “a broken neck, clavicle, and back” as a result of the fall. However, Markwood has already progressed to taking his first steps ever since the fall.

“Kav took his first steps today!” Phillips wrote. “It’s a slow slow process, but seeing him up and moving was a huge win and definitely lifted everyone’s spirits.

“He still has a long way to go—he’s dealing with a broken neck, clavicle, and back so there are plenty of obstacles ahead,” Phillips added about Markwood. “But he’s showing real strength, and we’re staying hopeful for a smooth recovery. This will also require plenty of rest and following instructions from the great doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital.”

Markwood, who remains at Allegheny General Hospital, was sitting in the front row atop the Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park, which stands 21 feet tall. As Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit a two-RBI double in the seventh inning, Markwood leapt to his feet and tumbled over a three-foot guard rail down to the dirt warning track below. A viral video also captured the exact moment that Markwood fell.

In the days following the fall, Markwood was revealed to be a former college football player. The previous update that we heard on Markwood’s status was also encouraging, especially in light of the major injuries that we now know he suffered in the fall.