The Pittsburgh Pirate fan who fell 21 feet onto the field at PNC Park broke his neck, back, and collarbone when he hit the ground.
Kavan Markwood, 20, took his first steps since the frightening accident during Wednesday night’s game, the organizer of his GoFundMe, Jennifer Phillips, wrote in an update on his condition Monday.
“He still has a long way to go – he’s dealing with a broken neck, clavicle, and back so there are plenty of obstacles ahead,” she said.
The former college football player is now showing signs of “real strength” after he was admitted to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition last week.
“We’re staying hopeful for a smooth recovery. This will also require plenty of rest and following instructions from the great doctors, nurses and staff at the hospital,” Phillips wrote.
The GoFundMe page set up to help with Markwood’s recovery has more than 90 percent of its goal of $45,000 as of Monday night.
Markwood fell over the Clemente Wall in right field of the Pittsburgh ballpark during Wednesday night’s Pirates-Cubs game.
Shocking video shows the Pennsylvania native slip over a railing in right field, which is 3 feet high, along the wall in the seventh inning, as he was shirtless, celebrating Andrew McCutchen’s go-ahead double.
Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz was seen pointing in the direction where Markwood fell before others started doing the same, and the game was paused.
Players took a knee around the field while the game halted for roughly 10 minutes.
McCutchen, who was visibly upset as he took a knee on the field before the 20-year-old was carted off, offered his support on X to the fan following the game.
“Truly hate what happened tonight,” the longtime Pirates star tweeted.
“Cant help but think about that guy, his family and friends. I pray tonight for him. Let us think about his loved ones and hug our families a little tighter tonight. I hope he pulls thru. May God Bless you all. Good night.”
Pirates manager Derek Shelton also said the accident was “extremely unfortunate. That’s an understatement” during a post-game interview.
“Even though its 350 feet away or whatever it is, the fact of how it went down and then laying motionless while a play’s going on, (Cubs manager) Craig (Counsell) saw it, I saw it, we both got out there, I think the umpires saw it unfortunately because of the way the ball kicked,” Shelton recounted.
Markwood is a 2022 South Allegheny High School graduate in western Pennsylvania who played college football at Division II Wheeling University in West Virginia as a linebacker in 2023.
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