The Pittsburgh Pirates and the city itself remain somewhat in shock after fans fell from the outfield seats to the field at PNC Park during a game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night.
The unidentified man was taken to Allegheny General Hospital after the incident, delaying the match at the bottom of seven innings. The Pittsburgh Public Safety Bureau said Thursday morning that the incident was being treated as an accident and that the man remains hospitalized in critical condition.
“After the horrific accident that happened last night, we are all deeply saddened and truly heartbroken,” Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “It was one of the most difficult moments that many of us have ever experienced. We are devastated. Pirates baseball is a community, our fans are like family. In times like these, we have to come together, support each other and keep him and his loved ones in prayer.”
After the game, both clubhouses had permeated.
“The fact that it went down, whether it’s 350 feet apart, is… lying motionless while the play is going,” visible Pirates manager Derek Shelton said at a post-game press conference.
He said that dugout players and coaches can, along with the referee, see what was going on at the time.
“That’s a very unfortunate. So it’s an understatement.”
According to Pittsburgh’s KDKA-TV reporter Cassidy Wood, Shelton shortened his press conference after releasing a statement.
Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen provided words of support on social media after the game.
“I really hate what happened tonight. I can’t help but think about that guy, his family, or his friends. I pray for him tonight. We will think of his loved ones and hold our family a little tight tonight. I hope he will pull.
“All we could do was pray for a good, strong recovery for him and his family,” Cubs’ Shortstop Danceby Swanson said now according to Pittsburgh baseball. “I’ve never been part of that before, and I hope I’m not part of that again.”
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This story has been updated to include new information.