Baseball Fan Kavan Markwood, Who Fell 21 Feet From The Stands During Pirates-Cubs Game, Makes ‘Miraculous’ Recovery

Baila Eve ZismanMay 7, 2025, 5:09 pmNews >

Pittsburgh Pirates fan Kavan Markwood is making a “miraculous” recovery after he fell 21 feet onto the warning track at a game.

In the seventh inning of the Pirates game against the Cubs on April 30, Markwood, 21, went over the railing, requiring critical medical attention. First responders rushed to Markwood’s side, and he was quickly transported off the field and to a local hospital.

Jennifer Phillips, the mother of Markwood’s girlfriend, Alonna, and the organizer of Markwood’s GoFundMe, shared an update on the fundraiser page on May 3, stating, “We are so relieved and grateful to share some encouraging news about Kavan.”

She expanded, “As of this morning, Kavan is awake, alert, and able to speak. After everything he’s been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous.”

In her initial description of the fundraiser on GoFundMe, Phillips asked readers, “Can you imagine what [Kavan’s] loved ones are going through and feeling? I know this young man very well, and I know that he is very strong, but he is also battling for his young life. Please be considerate during this tragic time…This fundraiser will help to assist with any medical bills and financial hardships that this family is experiencing right now. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a big difference.”

In her update on Saturday, Phillips wrote, “[Kavan] still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we’ve all been holding onto.”

She additionally expressed her thanks and gratitude for the “prayers, support and generosity” the family has received since the accident.

Kavan and Alonna had attended the game with another friend. The three were celebrating Andrew McCutchen’s double at the time of Markwood’s fall.

In a statement shortly following the accident, Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said, “We are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken after the terrible accident that occurred [Wednesday] night…it was one of the most difficult moments many of us have ever experienced. We are devastated.”