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The fan, which fell over the right field wall and on the track at Pittsburgh Pirates’ PNC Park on Wednesday night, has been identified.
Kavan Markwood, a 20-year-old former college soccer player, was identified as the man who fell more than 20 meters on the right field warning track, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune review.
It was a scary scene on Wednesday night when Markwood tilted over the railing of the walls and fell on the field in a game between Pirates and Chicago Cubs.
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Stadium safety and Pittsburgh Pirates Medical Staff drove a fan who fell from the stand on the field to an ambulance as Pirates fought against Chicago Cubs during the seventh round in PNC Park. (Charles Leclaire/Imag images)
Games stopped immediately when medical staff sprint to Outfield to find a shirtless Markwood moving on the warning -track dirt with blood visible on his face. Both teams’ teachers joined EMS to get him on a wagon and off the field.
Players from both teams came down on one knee with some looking down at the ground.
Pittsburgh Public Safety posted at X that the incident is “treated as an unintentional character” and Markwood was in critical condition from Thursday morning at Allegheny General Hospital.
Baseball Fan’s Fall ‘Accidental Character,’ says police, as graphic video shows incident
Fans who were around Markwood said he had been excited about a Pirates’ rally during the game and continued to take off his shirt and pour beer on himself before his fall, according to Tribune review.
South Allegheny School District confirmed that Markwood was the man who fell. He is a 2022 candidate from South Allegheny High School.
“Everyone in South Allegheny would say he is a hard-working, very resilient young man. He is a fighter,” the school district said in a statement to the Tribune review. “He needs that resilience now. But he has it. He has touched a lot of life in South Allegheny. We are a small community. He is a household name here. Everyone knows him.
A fan has run out of the pitch in PNC Park after falling out of the stands during the seventh lap of a game between Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
“He has prayers and support from the southern Allegheny community.”
Markwood played for two Division II football programs, Walsh University and Wheeling University. He played at Wheeling in 2023 and performed in four games, according to the team’s side.
Frank Cortazzo, South Allegheny High School’s main football coach, released a statement of Markwood to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“Kavan is not only an excellent athlete, but an even more unusual young man. His resilience, heart and strength are really unmatched. Keep him, his family and his friends in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this challenging time.”
The pirates also released a statement shortly after Markwood fell over the wall of the seventh lap.
Andrew McCutchen, who hit a double just before Markwood fell, sent a prayer out of X.
Andrew McCutchen of Pittsburgh Pirates after a fan fell from the grandstand during the seventh round against Chicago Cubs in PNC Park 30 April 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
“Had really what happened tonight,” he wrote. “Can’t help think about the guy his family and friends. I pray tonight for him. Let’s think of his dear and hug our families a little tighter tonight. I hope he pulls through. May God bless you all. Good night.”
When Markwood was angry from the field, Pirates and Cubs resumed their games, and Pittsburgh won, 4-3.
