Family of Pirates fan who fell from stands at PNC Park says he's awake but has "a long road ahead."
Kavan Markwood, the fan who fell over the Clemente Wall last week during a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs game at PNC Park, is improving, according to his family.
On Saturday afternoon, Markwood's family said, "As of this morning, Kavan is awake, alert, and able to speak. After everything he's been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous. He still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we've all been holding onto." On Monday, he took his first steps since the fall.
Markwood suffered a fractured skull as a result of the fall.
Investigation into the fall continues
While the exact cause of Markwood's accident remains unclear, there has been discussion that the 20-year-old may have been intoxicated and celebrating an RBI double from Andrew McCutchen when he fell.
However, according to a Pirates spokesperson, Markwood showed no signs of intoxication at the time of the fall. The spokesperson went on to say that Markwood was in a group of four people; it was determined by looking into credit card receipts that one of the people in his group purchased alcoholic drinks legally four times.
The Pirates believe that Markwood drank two beers over the course of the game.
While one fan said Markwood appeared intoxicated, others said he was conversing naturally and did not exhibit any boisterous behavior. One fan told the club that Markwood stood up, excited about the play, and toppled over the wall.
The Pirates say they do not believe Markwood showed any intoxicated behavior entering the park. The club prohibited two fans from entering Tuesday night for being drunk, but Markwood was not one of them.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is investigating the fall.
Kavan Markwood was high school football MVP
Markwood is a 2022 graduate of South Allegheny High School and the district, after learning of his fall, said that he "made a lasting impact on the South Allegheny community' during his time as a student.
Markwood played football for the Gladiators and was named team MVP as a senior. He also took home all-conference honors. He went on to play football at Walsh University in Ohio before enrolling at Wheeling University in West Virginia.
"Kavan is best known for his resilience, strength, and kindness," the district spokesperson said. "He is a friend to all—someone who lifts others up and faces challenges with courage and grace."
"If there is somebody who going to be able to overcome this, it's going to be Kavan Markwood because he's a tough kid," South Allegheny School District Superintendent David McDonald said. "He's a fighter."
Police are treating the fall as "accidental in nature."
The day after Markwood's fall, Pittsburgh Public Safety said they are treating the incident as an accident.
Markwood fell more than 20 feet over the Clemente Wall onto the outfield warning track at PNC Park. Police, EMS, and trainers from both the Pirates and the Chicago Cubs immediately responded, and the game was paused.
Along with trainers and first responders, another fan jumped down from a lower section onto the field to help. Markwood was placed on a stretcher, carted off the field and taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
