Pirates fan who fell at game vs. Cubs speaks publicly for first time

Kavan Markwood, a Pittsburgh Pirates fan critically injured in a fall onto the field at PNC Park during a game against the Chicago Cubs, spoke publicly for the first time on what happened.

The incident occurred late last month, when Markwood was caught on video celebrating a play and flipping over a railing onto the home field.

In his first interview since the dramatic incident that made nationwide headlines, Markwood told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he has “broken everything.”

“I’m all right,” he told the outlet. “I can’t really sleep. I have a lot of back pain.”

A GoFundMe set up by his girlfriend’s mother said Markwood broke his neck, clavicle and back. More than $60,000 has been raised as of Friday.

“I think when I get home I’ll just put ice on it,” Markwood told the Tribune-Review, saying he would speak more once released from the hospital sometime next week.

Markwood has not watched the horrifying video of his fall over the Roberto Clemente Wall, where he landed on the field during the Pirates’ game against the Cubs, the Tribune-Review reported.

The 20-year-old plunged two stories after celebrating Pirates outfielder and team leader Andrew McCutchen hitting a two-run double that gave the Pirates a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning.

Markwood appeared motionless before being rushed to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition.

More than 11,000 people were in the stadium that Wednesday night, falling silent as players took a knee.

Pittsburgh Public Safety said the incident was accidental, not criminal, on May 1 and did not plan on providing additional public updates.

The update from Markwood himself comes after his sister, Taryn Markwood, said in a statement Monday that her brother was breathing on his own, able to speak and squeeze her hand.

“To the Pirates and Cubs players, coaches, staff, and all who paused to take a knee in prayer during that tragic moment — your compassion did not go unnoticed,” Taryn Markwood said in her statement. “It brought a sense of unity and hope amidst the chaos.”

 

 

The South Allegheny School District said Markwood graduated in 2022 and was a football standout, with first-team all-conference honors and being named team MVP.

Baseball fans were stunned after a fan fell from the stands at Wednesday’s Cubs game against the Pirates

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:

  • Sue Bird named first managing director of USA Basketball Women’s National Team
  • Thunder set NBA playoff record as they demolish the Nuggets to even series
  • 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremony locations revealed

Related Posts

🚨 ORIOLES NEWS: Team USA is pushing for the WBC championship — and it could have big implications for the Baltimore Orioles. Will this momentum carry over into the season… or come at a cost? 👀

Gunnar Henderson, Team USA Set for WBC Final Showdown vs Venezuela The stage is set for an electrifying championship clash in the World Baseball Classic as Team…

🚨 BIG NEWS BEFORE THE SEASON: Heston Kjerstad and his wife Klaire just dropped a major personal announcement ahead of the Baltimore Orioles season — and fans are paying attention. Could this moment add extra motivation… or become a bigger storyline as the season unfolds?

Heston Kjerstad Shares Personal Milestone as Orioles Roster Decisions Loom The Baltimore Orioles are navigating key roster decisions ahead of the 2026 season, but one of their…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: STOLEN GLORY SHOCKS TEAM USA — After the 2–3 collapse against Venezuela, America’s biggest stars are quietly pointing straight at the umpiring crew, with one moment in the final now being whispered as the turning point that changed everything. Inside sources hint at rising frustration led by Aaron Judge, as players question decisions they refuse to publicly explain. What really happened in those final innings is now becoming the detail everyone is trying to uncover..ll 👇👇👇

“STOLEN GLORY?”: MLB SUPERSTARS LASH OUT AT “AMATEUR” OFFICIATING AFTER DRAMATIC WBC FINAL LOSS TO VENEZUELA MIAMI – The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) final was supposed…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: CLUBHOUSE ULTIMATUM SHAKES TEAM USA — Aaron Judge is rumored to have drawn a brutal line inside the locker room, forcing leadership into an impossible decision as tensions reach a boiling point just before the biggest stage of WBC 2026. Behind closed doors, whispers of a fractured squad and one controversial figure are exploding across social media, leaving fans stunned and divided. What looked like a united powerhouse is now teetering on the edge of chaos, and the fallout could change everything in the final moments..ll 👇👇👇

Team USA’s Dramatic Path in the 2026 World Baseball Classic: Talent, Turmoil, and the Quest for Redemption The 2026 World Baseball Classic has delivered high drama for…

🚨BREAKING: DAVID ORTIZ RETURNS TO THE RED SOX WITH A POWERFUL VISION, DECLARING HIS SON WILL CARRY THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE FRANCHISE. The legendаry fіgure’ѕ wordѕ hаve ѕраrked emotіonаl reаctіonѕ аcroѕѕ Boѕton аѕ hіѕ role аѕ co owner tаkeѕ on а deeрer, more рerѕonаl meаnіng. Now fаnѕ belіeve thіѕ move іѕ аbout legаcy, fаmіly, аnd а future buіlt from wіthіn. 👀👇👇

BOѕTON — When newѕ broke thаt Dаvіd Ortіz ѕрent $35 mіllіon to аcquіre 5% of the Boѕton Red ѕox, fаnѕ іmmedіаtely vіewed іt аѕ one of the…

Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki gives ‘day-by-day’ update on PCL injury

Seiya Suzuki limped off the field after attempting to steal second base in last Saturday’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinals matchup versus Venezuela. He then watched his country…