Kavan Markwood, the 20-year-old who fell onto the field at the Pirates’ game Wednesday at PNC Park, is awake and alert as of Saturday night, according to Jennifer Phillips, the organizer of his GoFundMe page.
Phillips revealed that Markwood, a former college football player, has made significant process since being admitted to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition Wednesday.
“After everything he’s been through since the accident on Wednesday night, this progress feels nothing short of miraculous,” Phillips wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He still has a long road ahead of him, but today brought a moment of hope that we’ve all been holding onto.”
“Thank you all so much for your prayers, support, and generosity,” she added. “Please continue to keep him in your thoughts as he begins the next phase of recovery.”
The GoFundMe created for Markwood has raised more than $28,000 since his accident.
“We are devastated,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement Thursday. “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.”
Nutting also told fans to keep Markwood and his family in their prayers, along with thanking first responders who quickly reacted to the incident.
An investigation into the incident has been conducted by the Pirates, in which they interviewed fans and analyzed credit card receipts by other people in Markwood’s group.
They concluded that Markwood did not buy any alcohol during the game, but he did consume two beers purchased by others at the game, according to the Associated Press.
Fans had conflicting statements regarding Markwood’s actions before the fall, with one saying that he appeared intoxicated.
Nevertheless, others told the Pirates that Markwood did not do anything noticeable until he celebrated a hit from outfielder Andrew McCutchen, with the fall coming shortly after.
Pittsburgh Public Safety has labeled Markwood’s fall an accident.