A 23-year-old woman has died after a tragic freak accident outside the Redwest Music Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ava Ahlander, who had traveled from Seattle to attend the festival with friends, was struck by a large plank that was ripped from a nearby construction scaffold by powerful gusts of wind.
The incident occurred as attendees were evacuating the Utah State Fairpark in response to extreme weather.
Victim Struck While Seeking Shelter from the Storm
Ahlander had just stepped out of her car with friends to seek shelter when the heavy plank plummeted roughly 30 feet, crushing both her and the vehicle, Salt Lake Police Lt. Leigh Willis told KSL.
Emergency responders rushed her to the hospital in critical condition. Though paramedics managed to revive her at the scene, doctors later found that she had suffered irreversible injuries.
Her family later confirmed that she had passed away from her wounds, calling the incident an unimaginable tragedy.
“Honestly, it’s been excruciating. The grief and the sorrow, and of course, it’s such a big surprise; and it’s just such a huge loss,” her uncle, Bobby Ahlander, told KSL.
Family and Friends Mourn a ‘Beautiful Soul’
Ahlander’s family described her as a vibrant, kind-hearted spirit whose love of music and nature defined her life.
“Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her,” they wrote in a GoFundMe campaign launched to support funeral costs, medical bills, and counseling for her friends who witnessed the tragedy.
“Even in her passing, Ava continues to give the gift of life to others as an organ donor—a final act of generosity that truly reflects her caring nature and desire to help those in need.”
Her uncle Bobby also paid tribute on Facebook, writing: “Ava was an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her. She had the best smile.”
According to the post, she was an “avid concert goer” and had flown in specifically to see Post Malone perform — one of her favorite artists.
Redwest Festival Hit by Extreme Weather
Redwest Music Festival, which was scheduled to run from October 10 to 12, was disrupted mid-event by Tropical Storm Priscilla, which brought powerful winds and rain to Utah and neighboring states.
On Saturday, organizers were forced to pause the event around 5:15PM as 60mph winds swept through Salt Lake City. They urged attendees to grab their belongings and seek immediate shelter.
Despite early hopes that the storm might pass, the day’s programming was officially cancelled 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,” organizers wrote in an Instagram post.
“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.”
While Sunday’s show was initially scheduled to go on, Ahlander’s death cast a long shadow over the final day of the festival.
Who Was Ava Ahlander
Born and raised in American Fork, Utah, Ava Ahlander moved to the Pacific Northwest for college and settled in Seattle, where she fell in love with the coastal lifestyle.
Her family says she returned to Utah for the Redwest Festival to celebrate her passion for music and spend time with friends.
“She just always loved having fun. It was really fun to be around her,” her uncle Bobby recalled. “Ava was an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her. She had the best smile.”
Her GoFundMe campaign has raised over $16,800 at the time of writing, with any surplus funds set to be donated to charity in her name to continue her “legacy of compassion.”