Kavan Markwood is making excellent progress as he continues to recover from his terrifying fall earlier this week.
Markwood’s family issued a statement over the weekend about the 20-year-old’s recovery. Though he remains at Allegheny General Hospital, Markwood is now awake and has officially been extubated.
“To all who have prayed, sent warm wishes, and offered support-you have carried us through some of our darkest moments,” the statement from the family read in part, per ABC7 Chicago. “I’m incredibly thankful to share that Kav is making remarkable progress: he was extubated this morning, was able to say my name, and even squeezed my hand. These small victories are monumental for us.”
In the statement, the family also thanked the first responders who tended to Markwood, the staff at Allegheny General Hospital, those who contributed to the GoFundMe set up on Markwood’s behalf, and others. They noted too that Markwood’s journey is “far from over” but that they are “hopeful.” You can read their full statement here.
During Wednesday’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., Markwood fell from the Clemente Wall in right field, which is 21 feet tall, down to the field of play below. He tumbled over a three-foot guard rail and landed on the dirt warning track in right field. Video caught the exact moment that the fall happened as well.
In more recent days, Markwood was identified as a former college football player who appeared as a linebacker for both Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and then for Wheeling University in Wheeling, W.Va. His fall is being treated as accidental in nature, but the most important thing right now is that Markwood is making tangible progress in his road to recovery.
