Fan falls from stands during Pirates game – here’s what happened

A moment of celebration at PNC Park turned tragic on Wednesday night, May 1, when 20-year-old Kavan Markwood of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, fell from the stands during a Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs game. The fall occurred just after a go-ahead double by Pirates legend Andrew McCutchen in the seventh inning. Witnesses said Markwood had removed his shirt and poured beer on himself before losing his balance over a 36-inch railing in Section 142, falling roughly 21 feet onto the right-field warning track. Emergency responders, including EMS and team trainers, quickly stabilized him and transported him to Allegheny General Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Authorities are treating the fall as accidental. The fall happened behind the 21-foot Clemente Wall, a tribute to Roberto Clemente. The Pirates later confirmed the railing meets safety standards. Markwood, a 2022 South Allegheny High graduate, had played linebacker at Walsh and Wheeling Universities and was recently on the Mountain East Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. He had left football to pursue work but hoped to return. Community members and former coaches described him as resilient and of strong character. “Kavan is a fighter, and he’s going to need that strength now,” said South Allegheny’s district spokesperson. Pirates chairman Bob Nutting called the incident “devastating,” saying, “Our fans are part of our family, and we’re keeping Kavan in our hearts