PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man who fell from the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right field at PNC Park during the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs game on Wednesday night is in critical condition as of Thursday morning. The incident occurred immediately after Pirates player Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run double in the seventh inning, bringing the Pirates ahead 4-3. Players from both teams started waving urgently for medical help, pointing towards the man who had fallen onto the warning track.

Emergency medical personnel from both teams, as well as PNC Park staff, attended to the fan for approximately five minutes before he was carted off the field. Following the game, the team released a statement noting that the man was transported to the trauma center at Allegheny General Hospital. Pittsburgh Public Safety, which includes local police and EMS, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the "incident is being treated as accidental in nature."

Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Cubs manager Craig Counsell quickly brought the situation to the attention of the umpire crew. Shelton remarked, "Even though it’s 350 feet away or whatever it is, the fact of how it went down and then laying motionless while the play is going on, it’s extremely unfortunate. That’s an understatement."

Players from both teams expressed their concern and support, with visible signs of distress during the episode. McCutchen held a cross that hung around his neck as the fan was taken from the field. He expressed that the team felt "devastated" and prayed together after the game, focusing on the man's health. "We’re just hoping for the best for him," McCutchen stated. "I hope he pulls through because he’s the reason why we are here. He’s the reason why we play the game."

Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson commented on the grave situation, saying, "All we could do was just pray for a good, strong recovery for him and his family. I have never been part of something like that before, and I hope I am never part of something like that again." He acknowledged the importance of fans in their experience, remarking on the humble reminder of gratitude for the supporters who come out to cheer for the players.

This incident has sparked discussions about fan safety at baseball games, echoing past tragedies where spectators have faced severe injuries or fatalities from falls in stadiums. Notably, in 2015, Atlanta Braves fan Gregory K. Murrey died after flipping over guard rails at Turner Field. Similarly, in 2011, firefighter Shannon Stone fell approximately 20 feet while reaching for a foul ball during a Texas Rangers game. Both occurrences raised concerns about the height of guard rails at stadiums, leading the Rangers to adjust their safety measures and the Braves to settle a lawsuit with Murrey’s family.

This reflects a broader issue of safety in sports venues, as recent incidents, such as a spectator's death at Acrisure Stadium during a 2022 NFL game after falling on an escalator, highlight the importance of continued evaluation of safety protocols in stadiums.