A young festivalgoer has died after being struck by debris from a nearby construction site outside the Redwest Music Festival in Utah.
Ava Ahlander, 23, was standing outside of the country music festival when a large plank from scaffolding was lifted from strong winds.
A young woman was near her car when a plank fell from approximately 30 feet, tragically crushing both her and the vehicle, according to Salt Lake Police Lt. Leigh Willis as reported by KSL.
Ahlander was initially rushed to hospital in critical condition but didn’t survive her injuries, her family confirmed in a GoFundMe.
‘Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her.
Even in her passing, Ava’s legacy of kindness continues, as she chose to be an organ donor, offering others the gift of life. This final act of selflessness truly reflects her compassionate nature and desire to assist those in need, as noted in the fundraiser.
The funds being collected aim to support her family with various expenses such as medical bills, funeral costs, a celebration of life ceremony, and counseling for those impacted by the loss.
Ava Ahlander, 23, was outside the country music festival when debris from a neighboring construction site hit her and her car before she succumbed to her injuries over the weekend.
A severe thunderstorm had rolled in over the festival, causing organizers to put the show on hold while other attendees took shelter
According to her uncle, Bobby, Ahlander was an ‘avid concert goer’ who had flown in from Seattle to see Post Malone with her friends
As of Monday evening, the fundraiser had garnered over $6,300.
Any leftover donations are set to be donated to charity in Ava’s name, her family wrote, to extend ‘her legacy of compassion.’
According to her uncle, Bobby, Ahlander was an ‘avid concert goer’ who had flown in from Seattle to see Post Malone with her friends.
As you might expect, this news is absolutely devastating, leaving many grief-stricken. Ava was a remarkable person cherished by all who knew her, known for her radiant smile, wrote someone on Facebook.
The Redwest Music Festival was set to take place from Friday October 10 until Sunday October 12.
Headliners, such as Post Malone and Noah Kahan were set to take the stage before it was cancelled on its second of the three day festival.
Severe weather conditions prompted organizers to halt the event just before 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, urging festivalgoers to gather their belongings and seek cover, as reported by Fox 13.
Winds of up to 60mph were reported as Tropical Storm Priscilla, downgraded from a hurricane, battered areas of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado over the weekend with heavy rains.
The Redwest Music Festival was set to take place from Friday October 10 until Sunday October 12, before day two was cancelled due to severe weather
Headliners, such as Post Malone and Noah Kahan were set to take the stage before it was cancelled on its second of the three day festival. The show carried on on Sunday
While some festival attendees patiently waited for the show to resume, organizers eventually cancelled the Saturday shows altogether at around 9.40pm.
‘For the safety of our fans, artists, and staff, we are unable to continue with today’s programming. Conditions at the festival site are currently unsafe to proceed,’ an Instagram post read.
‘We’re truly sorry and appreciate your patience and understanding. Please stay tuned to our social channels and check your email for further updates and next steps.’
A follow up post assured Saturday ticket holders that their tickets would be honored on Sunday as another announcement came that Sunday’s show would continue on as planned.
