Pirates-Cubs fan fall, explained: Medical emergency halts game after spectator falls over outfield wall

David Suggs

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Pirates-Cubs fan fall, explained: Medical emergency halts game after spectator falls over outfield wall image

The Pirates and Cubs' matchup on Wednesday evening underwent a 10-minute delay after a fan fell over the right field wall.

The incident, which occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning, saw a fan fall 21 feet from the concourses. Medical personnel from both teams came to the man's aid before he was eventually stretchered off the field.

Here's the latest on the fan's status.

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Pirates-Cubs fan falls

The fan, identified as 20-year old Kavan Mirkwood from McKeesport, Penns., tumbled over the fence after Andrew McCutchen lined a double to center field. As two Pittsburgh players crossed the plate, concern turned immediately to the fan, who was motionless in the right field warning track.

Video of the incident can be seen here. Another angle was released to CBS Pittsburgh on May 7 here. Viewer discretion is advised.

Medical personnel from both teams ran toward the fan as Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Chicago skipper Craig Counsell came onto the field. According to CBS News, another fan jumped onto the field in the hopes of helping Markwood. 

Markwood was placed on a backboard and stretchered off the field. Players from both sides looked visibly shaken, with some kneeling down and others saying prayers.

The game went under delay for about 10 minutes before players returned to their posts. The Pirates claimed victory in the contest, winning 4-3 off the back of McCutchen's game-winning at-bat.

Markwood took his first steps since the fall less than a week after he was hospitalized, but his serious injuries include a neck fracture. "He’s dealing with a broken neck, clavicle, and back so there are plenty of obstacles ahead," a GoFundMe raising money for his recovery states.

The Pirates released the following statement shortly after the conclusion of Wednesday's game:

"Tonight, during the seventh inning of the game at PNC Park, an adult male fell from the right field bleachers onto the field of play. Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training team and other PNC Park personnel reacted and responded immediately an administered care. He was transported to Allegheny General Hospital. No further information is available at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

McCutchen reacted on social media after the game on Wednesday, saying he was thinking of the fan and his family and friends. 

The Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety said on Thursday that the incident is being treated as accidental in nature.

Markwood, a two-time All-Conference linebacker at South Allegheny High that played football at Division II schools Walsh and Wheeling, is in critical condition, according to Pittsburgh police.

His former head coach at South Allegheny, Frank Cortazzo, released the following statement in response to Wednesday's incident:

"Kavan is not only an outstanding athlete but an even more exceptional young man. His resilience, heart and strength are truly unmatched. Please keep him, his family and his friends in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this challenging time."

On May 7, Markwood spoke to Pittsburgh news outlet TribLive about the incident, saying he hasn't yet watched the video of his fall. He told TribLive that he's "alright" and "can’t really sleep" due to his back pain.

“Broken everything,” is how Markwood described his injuries to TribLive, also saying he plans to speak more once he's released from the hospital "in about a week."

On May 20, TMZ reported that 21-year old Ethan Kirkwood is being charged criminally for supplying Mirkwood, 20, with alcohol at the game prior to his fall.

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.