by Kavan Markwood, a devoted Pittsburgh Pirates fan who survived a terrifying fall from the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall at PNC Park, says he’s on the road to recovery—even after suffering major injuries.
The 20-year-old told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he expects to be released from the hospital within a week. Markwood has already taken his first steps since the incident and described his condition simply as: “Broken everything.”
Fall During Pirates vs. Cubs Game
The incident happened last Wednesday night during a Pirates vs. Cubs game. After Andrew McCutchen hit a double in the seventh inning, Markwood fell from the iconic Clemente Wall and landed on the warning track.
The game was paused for about 10 minutes while trainers and police rushed to his aid. Markwood was stabilized and taken off the field on a backboard before being transported to Allegheny General Hospital.
Severe Injuries: Brain, Spine, and Lungs
Doctors say Markwood sustained serious injuries, including trauma to his brain, spine, and lungs. Despite the extensive damage, he remains in stable condition and is showing signs of improvement.
“I’m all right,” Markwood said in a brief statement. “I can’t really sleep. I have a lot of back pain.”
GoFundMe Nears $50K
A GoFundMe page, created by Jennifer Phillips, the mother of Markwood’s girlfriend, has raised nearly $48,000 to help with mounting medical expenses.
As Markwood continues to recover, Pirates fans and the greater Pittsburgh community have rallied around him with messages of support and donations.
