Sports

Actions

‘I don’t know how I’m alive’: Pirates fan recounts 21-foot fall onto field

Pirates fan Kavan Markwood is recovering after a 21-foot fall at PNC Park that broke his back and ribs. He calls it a tragic accident, not alcohol-related.
Cubs Pirates Baseball
Posted

A Pittsburgh Pirates fan who fell 21 feet from the stands at PNC Park in April is recovering and speaking publicly for the first time.

Kavan Markwood fell from the Roberto Clemente Wall in right field while reacting to a hit by designated hitter Andrew McCutchen.

In an interview with Inside Edition, Markwood said he is amazed to be alive.

"I don't know how I'm alive," he said. "I wake up with pain every day."

He broke his back, punctured a lung and fractured every rib in the fall.

Markwood called the fall a tragic accident. However, Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board has filed two charges against his friend, Ethan Kirkwood, for providing alcohol to a minor.

Markwood was 20 at the time of the incident. He said the incident had nothing to do with drinking.

“I just hope everyone knows that I fell and I didn’t jump over the railing. It was just a tragic accident,” he said.

Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Wednesday

10/29/2025

Clear

-° / 54°

3%

Thursday

10/30/2025

Mostly Clear

82° / 56°

3%

Friday

10/31/2025

Clear

79° / 54°

3%

Saturday

11/01/2025

Clear

79° / 54°

3%

Sunday

11/02/2025

Partly Cloudy

78° / 55°

1%

Monday

11/03/2025

Mostly Clear

81° / 56°

1%

Tuesday

11/04/2025

Mostly Clear

78° / 56°

1%

Wednesday

11/05/2025

Partly Cloudy

78° / 56°

8%