The identity has been released of the fan who fell from an outfield wall at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Kevin Gorman of The Tribune-Review reported on Thursday that 20-year-old Kavan Markwood has been identified as the fan who tumbled over 20 feet to the field during Wednesday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs. Gorman adds that Markwood, a 2022 graduate of South Allegheny High School and alum of their football program, remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
“Everyone at South Allegheny would say he is a hardworking, highly resilient young man,” South Allegheny School District spokesperson Laura Thomson was quoted as saying of Markwood. “He’s a fighter. He’s going to need that resiliency now. But he has it. He’s touched a lot of lives at South Allegheny. We’re a small community. He’s a household name here. Everyone knows him. He has the prayers and the support of the South Allegheny community.”
TMZ Sports adds that Markwood is a former college football player as well, appearing as a linebacker for Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and later for Wheeling University in Wheeling, W.Va.
According to Markwood’s bio on the Wheeling website, he is a native of McKeesport, Pa. and recorded five total tackles over four appearances as a redshirt freshman in 2023 (also appearing on special teams for Wheeling).
Markwood, who was a First Team All-Conference selection and team MVP as a senior at South Allegheny High School, fell from the Clemente Wall in right field (which stands 21 feet tall) down to the dirt warning track during the seventh inning of Wednesday’s game. Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen had just hit a two-RBI double when Markwood leapt up from his seat and tumbled over a three-foot guard railing down to the field below.
A graphic video also captured the exact moment that Markwood fell.
Markwood was tended to by team and stadium personnel, causing a brief delay in the game (which the Pirates went on to win 4-3). He was eventually taken off the field in a cart and transported to Allegheny General Hospital.
Pittsburgh Public Safety released a follow-up statement on Thursday, saying that the incident was being treated as accidental in nature.
