Spectator at Pirates Match Suffers Grave Injuries after Plunging 21 FT onto Field in Terrifying Incident
In a chilling turn of events during the Pirates-Cubs game at PNC Park, a fan tumbled from the right field bleachers on Wednesday night, causing quite a macabre spectacle.
With Andrew McCutchen tagging a go-ahead double in the bottom of the seventh inning, the audience watched in stunned silence as a spectator, seemingly seated in the front row of the right field bleachers, plummeted from his perch and landed on the warning track below. A fellow fan leapt onto the field to offer aid.
Stadium personnel rushed to the victim, spending around five tense minutes providing assistance, according to the Associated Press. During this time, players from both teams knelt and prayed.
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Public Safety announced that the fan remained in critical condition. They've launched an investigation to shed light on the events that unfolded at the ballpark. The Pirates expressed their hopes and prayers for the man and his family.
The team released a statement, saying, "During the seventh inning of the game at PNC Park, an adult male fell from the right field bleachers onto the field of play. Pittsburgh EMS, along with athletic trainers from both teams and other PNC Park personnel, reacted swiftly and administered care. He was then transported to Allegheny General Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."
Pirates manager Derek Shelton shared that he and Cubs skipper Craig Counsell both witnessed the harrowing incident unfold. "Even though it's about 350 feet away or whatever it is, the fact that it went down the way it did and then laying motionless while the play continued, I mean Craig saw it, I saw it. It was extremely unfortunate," Shelton said after the game.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
The outfield wall in question, the Clemente Wall in right field, towers at an impressive 21 feet.
The game was delayed for roughly 10 minutes due to the incident.
[1] The fan's fall occurred just as McCutchen hit an RBI, giving the Pirates a 4-3 lead.[2] The game eventually finished with a close 4-3 win for the Pirates.[3] Emergency responders, including athletic trainers from both teams and PNC Park personnel, treated the fan on the field.[4] The fan was then transported to Allegheny General Hospital.[5] As of Thursday, the fan remains in critical condition.
[1] Despit the fan's unfortunate fall during the vital moment when Andrew McCutchen hit an RBI, securing a 4-3 lead for the Pirates, the game continued.[2] Stunned reporters covering the general-news and sports sectors couldn't help but discuss the distressing incident that overshadowed the evening's football-like game at PNC Park.[3] The outfield, particularly the imposing 21-feet Clemente Wall in right field, stood as a stark backdrop to the accident that unfolded within its reach.[4] While the Pirates won the game, the team's victory was bittersweet amidst calls for prayers and well-wishes for the critically injured fan and his family.
