Promising Major Update On Fan Who Fell At Pirates Game

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 5, 2025 10:22 PM ET

The fan who fell from a 21-foot wall onto the PNC Park field has made promising progress in his recovery.

Kavan Markwood, a former college football player, slipped off the bleacher's railing onto the outfield warning track during Wednesday's Pittsburgh Pirates game. The 20-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition but upgraded to "serious" on Thursday.

On Monday, the organizer of a FundMe page made to cover Markwood's medical bills provided an encouraging update. Jennifer Phillips wrote that Markwood took his first steps since the incident on Monday.

"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 said. "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."

Phillips, the mother of Markwood's girlfriend, said Markwood was "awake, alert, and able to speak" on Saturday.

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03: A general view of PNC Park during opening day between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

A hushed silence fell over PNC Park after Markwood's fall. Pittsburgh Public Safety said they're treating it as an accident.

The incident occurred after an RBI double from Andrew McCutchen. After the game, the Pirates veteran said he and the team and praying for Markwood's recovery.

"I hope he pulls through," McCutchen said. "It was a tough situation, so we're definitely thinking about him. I'm definitely thinking about him, and we're just hoping for good news."

Markwood, a South Allegheny High School graduate in 2022, was named the football team's MVP during his senior year. He played collegiately at Walsh University and Wheeling University.

"If there is somebody who is going to be able to overcome this, it's going to be Kavan Markwood because he's a tough kid," a South Allegheny district spokesperson said in a statement, per CBS News. "He's a fighter. He's proven that for 21 years to get to the point where he is now, and we need to rally around Kavan."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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