A man attending the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on Wednesday night is in critical condition one day after falling 21 feet onto the field.
Pittsburgh Police have confirmed they’re treating the fall as an accident.
The unnamed fan’s fall from the stands was initially investigated by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Violent Crimes, with Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services medics helping treat him on the right field warning track below the Clemente Wall.
On Thursday morning, Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed on X that the incident was being treated as accidental and that the man who fell remains in critical condition at Allegheny General Hospital.
The Clemente Wall, from which the fan fell, is 21 feet tall and has 36-inch railing, above the code requirement of 26 inches, according to MLB.com. The wall honors former Pirate Roberto Clemente’s jersey number,
The fan fell in the bottom of the seventh inning during a play in which Pittsburgh designated hitter Andrew McCutchen doubled home the runs that ultimately won the game for the Pirates.
Play was stopped for about 10 minutes, and a second person managed to jump down to try and help the fallen man, according to MLB.com. It was unclear whether the second person was a friend, family member or just a bystander.
A statement from Pirates owner Bob Nutting suggests that the man who fell was a Pittsburgh fan.
“We are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken after the terrible accident that occurred last night. It was one of the most difficult moments many of us have ever experienced. We are devastated. 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,” the statement read.
After the game, McCutchen wrote on X, “Truly hate what happened tonight. Can’t help but think about that guy, his family and friends. I pray tonight for him. Let us think about his loved ones and hug our families a little tighter tonight. I hope he pulls thru. May God Bless you all.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, “I hope the gentleman’s OK. I’m thinking about his family and him right now. Obviously scary. I didn’t see it happen, but I saw it out there after the play. I just hope everything turns out OK.”
Pirates manager Derek Shelton offered similar sentiments, saying postgame that he wanted “to offer thoughts and prayers with the incident that happened earlier in the game and thank both our medical staff, the Cubs’ medical staff, EMS, everybody that got to the gentleman, and just ask everybody to keep him in your prayers.”
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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