Kavan Markwood GoFundMe raises over $32,000 as community rallies around Pirates fan who fell from stands

Earlier this week, Kavan Markwood was attending the Pirates vs the Cubs game at PNC Park on Wednesday, April 30, when he had an unfortunate incident.

The Pittsburgh fan was critically injured after falling more than 20 feet from the stands onto the field and was rushed to the hospital, per Pittsburgh Public Safety. An investigation into the incident was also launched, per a post from @PghPublicSafety.

"Pittsburgh Police VCU detectives are investigating after a male fell ~20 feet from the bleachers at PNC Park onto the field of play during the @Pirates game. Pittsburgh EMS field medics treated him on scene until he could be transported to the hospital in critical condition."

After it was reported that Markwood was in critical condition, Jennifer Phillips of South Park Township, Pennsylvania, created a fundraiser on his behalf. The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $32K as of this writing, with the community showing support with donations and encouraging messages for the injured Pirates fan.

Amidst the financial help online, Jennifer Phillips also shared a positive update about Kavan Markwood’s recovery on Saturday, May 3. The organizer wrote,

“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.”

Phillips said that Kavan still has a "long road ahead." At the same time, she also claimed that his progress was a "moment of hope" for them. Jennifer thanked everyone for their "prayers, support, and generosity" and asked to keep Markwood in their "thoughts as he begins the next phase of recovery."

For those unaware, Jennifer Phillips is the mother of Kavan Markwood’s girlfriend, Alonna. The GodFundMe fundraiser she created last week has a goal of $45K as of this writing.

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Kavan Markwood was identified as a student-athlete who represented Walsh University and Wheeling University

According to the Pittsburgh-headquartered TribLive, the Pirates fan who got injured at PNC Park on Wednesday graduated from South Allegheny School District in 2022. Laura Thomson, a spokesperson for the school district, stated that Kavan Markwood,

“Everyone at South Alle­gheny would say he is a hardworking, highly resilient young man. He’s a fighter. He’s going to need that resiliency now. But he has it. "

Laura added,

'He’s touched a lot of lives at South Allegheny. We’re a small community. He’s a household name here. Everyone knows him. He has the prayers and the support of the South Alle­gheny community.”

Markwood later went on to represent Walsh University and Wheeling University as a linebacker. TribLive also reached out to Kavan’s ex-football coach, Frank Cortazzo from South Allegheny School District, who was quoted as saying,

“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.”

The Pittsburgh President, Bob Nutting, also released a statement a day after the game and said,

“We are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken after the terrible accident that occured last night.”

Nutting asserted that the incident was among the most challenging moments many at the game experienced. He added,

“Pirates baseball is a community, and our fans are like family. In times like these, we must come together, support one another, and keep him and his loved ones in our prayers.”

Bob Nutting concluded with an appreciation for the first responders. Pittsburgh Public Safety revealed a subsequent update of the investigation and stated that the authorities are treating the fall as an accident.

According to the Associated Press, the senior VP of communications for the Pirates, Brian Warecki, confirmed that Kavan Markwood did not purchase alcohol during the game. However, it was noted that he had consumed two beers before the accident happened.