A man was in critical condition after he plunged around 20 feet from the stands to the ground at a Pittsburgh Pirates home game at PNC Park on Wednesday, officials said.
The man was seen tumbling in the air before he landed on the warning track area of right field during the seventh inning, stopping the game as players looked shocked.
He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital, where he was in critical condition, a spokesperson for Pittsburgh Public Safety said.
The Pirates said in a statement, “Pittsburgh EMS, as well as the Pirates and Cubs athletic training teams and other PNC Park personnel reacted and responded immediately and administered care.”
A person who witnessed the incident said that it happened fast and that the man fell from the 21-foot wall.
“It was quick. I couldn’t tell if he jumped or fell,” Sam Miller said. EMS staff members strapped the man to a stretcher to immobilize him, Miller said.
The Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen was among the players who reacted on the field as emergency medical responders tended to the man. Fans reported on social media that the stadium was silent.”Truly hate what happened tonight. Cant help but think about that guy, his family and friends. I pray tonight for him,” McCutchen wrote on X late Wednesday. “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.”
Detectives from the Pittsburgh Police Violent Crime Unit are investigating, Pittsburgh Public Safety said.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton after the game asked that people keep the man in their prayers.
“Before we start, I just want to offer thoughts and prayers with the incident that happened earlier in the game,” he said at a post-game press conference, video from NBC affiliate WPXI of Pittsburgh showed.
Shelton also thanked EMS workers and medical staff from both teams who responded.
