A frightening incident unfolded on Wednesday night during the MLB regular season game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
The game, which was filled with excitement and anticipation, took a dark turn when a fan fell 21 feet from the Clemente Wall onto the warning track in the seventh inning, forcing a 10-minute delay in sporting proceedings.
The incident occurred shortly after Pirates star Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run double. As fans rose to their feet to celebrate the play, one individual lost their balance and plummeted from the stands, landing on the field below.
Shocked bystanders and players watched in horror as the fan lay motionless on the warning track for several minutes, bleeding from his head.
Incident was caught on camera
The scene was heart-wrenching, with players visibly shaken by the situation. In a display of concern, the players immediately called for medical assistance, with several taking a knee and praying on the field. It was clear that the fan’s condition was grave as they waited for help.
Medical staff arrived quickly, and the fan was eventually placed on a backboard before being carted off the field. The individual was then transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. According to Jennifer Borrasso from KDKA-TV Pittsburgh, the fan, described as a man in his twenties, was admitted to the hospital in critical condition with a skull fracture.
What wasn’t clear at the time was just how the individual fell. Video evidence later emerged from someone’s phone at the other side of the stadium.
It looked like fans were naturally rising from their seats to celebrate McCutchen’s hit and encourage him to round first base, only for the individual in question to fall over the safety rail.
Whilst not as high as safety rails seen in other sporting arenas, there was a certain amount of resistance, which was made clear by the man appearing to try and grab hold of the rail as he was falling.
His grip loosened and he crashed to the floor, stunning the surrounding areas into silence. Those who had watched the video, which was uploaded to Twitter, suggested that he had jumped, but that has yet to be confirmed or ruled out.
At this time, the details surrounding the fall remain limited, and no further information about the incident has been released. Pittsburgh police are investigating the situation, with the Violent Crime Unit looking into the circumstances surrounding the fall, as reported by Pittsburgh Public Safety.
As the investigation continues, the MLB community is left to reflect on the tragic event. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the fan involved, hoping for a full and speedy recovery as they face this incredibly difficult situation.
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