20-Year-Old Baseball Fan Update After Serious Fall at Pirates Game
Kavan Markwood, the 20-year-old baseball fan who fell from a 21-foot outfield wall at PNC Park on April 30, has shared his experience following the incident. In a recent interview, he revealed that he has not watched the footage of his fall.
The young fan was celebrating a go-ahead double by the Pittsburgh Pirates when he lost his balance and fell. Video from the game shows him jumping in excitement when he suddenly pitched forward over the railing.
Though Markwood claims he’s “alright,” he admits to suffering from significant back pain and difficulty sleeping. He anticipates being released from the hospital in about a week, but his recovery will take time due to several injuries he has sustained.
During a press conference, Dr. Al Philp, Chief Medical Officer at Allegheny General Hospital, provided an update on Markwood’s condition. He disclosed that Kavan has injuries to his skull, brain, spine, ribs, and lungs, but he has made substantial progress. Markwood is now off the breathing machine and out of the intensive care unit, moving toward physical therapy. Dr. Philp expressed satisfaction with his rapid recovery, noting it has exceeded expectations given the severity of his injuries.
Markwood described the pain from his injuries, feeling as if he had "broken everything." Jennifer Phillips, the mother of his girlfriend Alonna, has been sharing updates on his recovery through a GoFundMe campaign. Tragically, Markwood has faced personal losses, having lost both parents at young ages—his father in 2014 and mother in 2023.
In an encouraging update, Phillips mentioned that Kavan had taken his first steps, indicating a positive sign in his long recovery journey. She emphasized the slow but hopeful nature of his rehabilitation, while expressing gratitude for the support from medical staff.
The GoFundMe campaign aimed at assisting with Markwood’s medical expenses has already raised over $51,000 towards its goal of $55,000. Community support is strengthening as he continues to fight for a complete recovery.
