by SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tragedy struck during the REDWEST Country Music Festival when 23-year-old Ava Ahlander was killed after being struck by windblown debris outside the festival grounds. The fatal incident occurred on Saturday, Oct. 11, as a powerful storm forced the festival’s cancellation and prompted attendees to take shelter.
How the Accident Happened
According to authorities, Ava Ahlander had stepped out of her car near 1055 W. North Temple when a 2″x12″ scaffolding board was lifted by strong winds from a nearby construction site and hit her. Emergency responders arrived around 5:15 p.m., transporting her to the hospital in critical, life-threatening condition.
Her uncle, Bobby Ahlander, described the impact to KUTV:
“It just hit her in the head… in the neck. It was hard. It was fast. The doctors said after they were able to get her stable and do a CT scan that it basically crushed her brain stem.”
Despite immediate medical attention and resuscitation efforts, Ava lost brain activity and was placed on life support. On Monday, her family confirmed her death, describing the event as a “freak accident.”
Family Remembers Ava
Ava, a music lover from Seattle, had traveled to Salt Lake City with friends to attend the festival. The family described her as “an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her.” They emphasized her love of concerts and her excitement to see Post Malone, which brought her and her friends to Utah that weekend.
The family said in a statement:
“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.”
Community Support and Memorial Fund
A GoFundMe page has been created to support the family with memorial expenses, burial costs, medical bills, and counseling services for friends and family impacted by her death. As of midweek, the campaign had raised $16,766 of its $18,000 goal.
Friends, concertgoers, and members of the Salt Lake City community have expressed shock and sadness, describing Ava as kindhearted, vibrant, and full of life. The stormy weather conditions that led to the tragic accident are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather, even in unexpected circumstances.
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Safety Lessons and Awareness
Officials are urging the public to exercise extreme caution during severe weather, especially near construction zones, unsecured materials, and large outdoor events. While music festivals can be a source of joy and community, this tragedy highlights how quickly weather conditions can turn deadly.
Ava’s family said their main focus now is to honor her memory and ensure her passing supports others through her organ donations and the memorial fund dedicated in her name.
The Salt Lake City community continues to mourn the loss of Ava Ahlander, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short.
Share your condolences and support for Ava’s family at race-day-live.com.
