A night meant for baseball took a heartbreaking turn on Wednesday at PNC Park when a man fell from the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right field during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ game against the Chicago Cubs. The incident occurred in the seventh inning, just as Pirates veteran Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run double. The man, identified as 2022 Southern Alleghany School District graduate Kavan Markwood, landed on the warning track and was immediately attended to by medical staff from both teams.
Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed the fall was accidental. Markwood, known in his hometown community for his athleticism and leadership, was rushed to Allegheny General Hospital’s trauma center, where he remained in critical condition as of Thursday morning.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), city officials said, “First responders rendered aid quickly after the fall. The individual was transported by EMS and remains under medical care. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”
The sudden accident deeply affected those in attendance, as well as players on the field. Though the game continued, players were visibly shaken. Many stopped to kneel and pray while medical personnel worked to stabilize Markwood. “It’s hard to describe,” McCutchen said afterward. “You never expect something like that to happen. You just hope he pulls through. Fans are part of our family out here.”
Kavan Markwood was a standout football player during his time at Southern Alleghany High School, earning MVP honors his senior year. Laura Thomson, the district’s Workforce Development Coordinator, described him as “resilient, kind, strong—and someone who lifted others around him.”
“He was more than just an athlete,” Thomson said. “Kavan had a heart for people and was the kind of person who made those around him better.”
The fall has raised questions about ballpark safety, though Pirates officials noted that the railing along the Clemente Wall is three feet high, exceeding local building code requirements. “This was a terrible accident,” said Brian Warecki, the Pirates’ Vice President of Communications. “Our deepest concern is for the fan and his family. We are cooperating fully with authorities as they gather more information.”
Pirates team owner Bob Nutting also released a statement, expressing sympathy and gratitude. “This tragic accident reminds us how precious life is,” Nutting said. “We are all thinking of Kavan and his loved ones. I want to thank the emergency responders, stadium medical personnel, and team staff who responded with speed and compassion.”
Police have confirmed that no foul play is suspected and reiterated that any updates regarding Markwood’s condition will come from hospital staff and his family.
Fans attending Thursday’s game, the final matchup of the Pirates-Cubs series, sat once again in the seating section above the Clemente Wall. The atmosphere was subdued, with many fans expressing concern and sharing prayers and well-wishes for Markwood.
This tragic incident has brought renewed attention to spectator safety in sports venues. While falls from height are rare, past accidents have prompted discussions about the balance between visibility and security. In 2015, Gregory K. Murrey fell from the upper deck at Turner Field in Atlanta, and in 2011, Shannon Stone died after falling while trying to catch a ball tossed to him by a player at the Texas Rangers’ stadium.
Though it’s unclear what exactly led to Markwood’s fall, stadium officials are reviewing all safety protocols. A spokesperson for Major League Baseball said the league is in contact with the Pirates and monitoring the situation closely.
For now, a community rallies around a young man who once lit up Friday nights on the football field and now fights for his life after a devastating fall. Those who knew Kavan—and even those who didn’t—are holding out hope for recovery.
