The 20-year-old Pirates fan who fell from the stands onto the field at PNC Park on Wednesday is making progress toward recovering, friends and family said on social media Saturday.
Kavan Markwood had been listed in critical condition after falling 21 feet from the Clemente Wall in the park’s right field during the Pirates’ game against the Chicago Cubs.
As of Saturday morning, he was awake, alert and able to speak, Jennifer Phillips said in an update on the fundraising site GoFundMe. Phillips’ daughter, Alonna, is Markwood’s girlfriend.
“After everything he’s been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous,” she wrote. “He still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we’ve all been holding onto.”
She thanked the public for their prayers, support and generosity. As of Saturday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised just over $26,000 from more than 600 donations toward a $35,000 goal.
“This fundraiser was created to help ease some of the burden that comes with such a sudden and tragic event — and thanks to you, it’s done so much more,” Phillips wrote. “You’ve shown us the true meaning of community, and we are forever grateful. Every donation, every message, and every act of kindness has made a difference.”
Markwood fell over a 3-foot-high railing and onto the warning track while celebrating an Andrew McCutchen double that drove in the runs the team needed for a 4-3 win over the Cubs.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
