The bottom of the seventh inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, in May 1, 2025, a fan’s joy had quickly become a source of concern. It was an excited moment for one fan until the rubber seat on the end of his aluminum tray broke and he fell 21 feet from the stands, onto the right field warning track, stopping play and bringing out a veritable flood of support from the community as well as far beyond.
It is believed the fan, 20 year old Kavan Markwood, was celebrating Andrew McCutchen go-ahead double when the ghastly incident took place. Markwood was seen taking off his shirt, pouring beer on himself as a moment of jubilation in the presence of witnesses. But a few seconds later, he slipped and fell over the 3 feet’ railing in the Section 142. A statement from the Pirates organization indicates that the railing in that section exceeds current building code requirements and that the fall was just behind the beloved old 21 foot Clemente Wall honor to Hall of Fame Roberto Clemente.
Emergency responders jumped into action as soon as Markwood’s fall stunned the crowd, including medical people, police, EMS and team trainers. Immediately its play came to an immediate halt as the focus turned entirely on the injured fan. Markwood was pinned under the car and backboarded to Allegheny General Hospital, where he was reported to be in critical condition.
That incident was being treated as accidental, Pittsburgh Public Safety later confirmed. Although it was a harrowing situation, first responders who responded were praised for their quick reactions and professional response.
Markwood Kavan is as well known in the McKeesport community as his athletic prowess, but it is also known that he is a young man of character. In 2022, Markwood graduated from South Allegheny High School and played linebacker at Wheeling University (WU). Markwood used his football time on the field to be determined and resilient, and also was good enough to earn a spot on the Mountain East Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
The young man was a ‘very good young man’ and the team had hoped he would come back into the program, former coach of Markwood at Wheeling University Zac Bruney remarked. Following one season at Walsh University in 2022, Markwood transferred to Wheeling University where he made tackles on special teams and even plays in 2023 season.
He has not gone unnoticed as a man of strength, not only as a baseball player. Mike Brown, former South Allegheny Athletic director, described his playing days at South Allegheny and at a majority of the Pittsburgh public schools he attended as ‘surely a standout athlete,’ loving the game, being a stand up guy, etc.’ For Brown, having Cam ‘gave his best’ and his leadership ‘stood out.’ It is popular support for Markwood, and people close to him are signing up and rallying with him.
Following the terrible accident that occurred last night, Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting and all of us at the organization are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken. Many of us have never experienced something as difficult as that. We are devastated.” And he stressed that the Pirates are a team that is so close to the fans and have to come together for Markwood and his family.
Fans and players also agreed that there was a lot of emotional weight to the incident. The fans were shocked and concerned in the stands, offering support to the young man who came to the ballpark with a good spirit, only to be fighting for his life suddenly.
Across the region he has also drawn much support and from his alma mater. Markwood was also well respected at South Allegheny High School, which has rallied behind him. A “fighter,” he was described by spokesman Laura Thomson as someone who fought back against challenges throughout his life, and who was remarkably strong.
His condition remains critical but his community is clamping its arms around Markwood and his family. Across social media, in local news reports, and via poignant messages from friends, teammates and fans, there is a common desire he can fight his way through this setback, just as Markwood was able to do with his athleticism.
While falling to Kavan Markwood in PNC Park is a tragic reminder of how swiftly life can change in even the most joyous of moments, it was the championship news that had every man in Red alive. The incident did bring play in the game to a halt and also resulted in a wave of concern and support from Pirates organization, McKeesport community and fans throughout the area. Fighting his recovery, all eyes are on his strength and still, the hope is that he will come out of this stronger than ever.
Ultimately, the community rallied behind the baseball fan’s celebration at a baseball game began as a fawning crowd of Markwood giving someone a game and ended as a moment of solidarity, a feeling you are not alone, and proof of the strength of the community coming together in times of need.