Ava Ahlander, Utah festival goer, died in ‘freak accident’ while at country music festival to see Post Malone

A festival-goer was killed outside a popular country music festival in Utah when she was struck by a piece of falling debris from a nearby construction site while fleeing severe weather.

Ava Ahlander was outside the Redwest Music Festival at Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City when strong winds tore a large wooden plank from scaffolding and sent it flying toward her. Salt Lake Tribune I mentioned.

The 23-year-old was evacuating the fairgrounds with other attendees and three friends to find shelter from the high winds when the massive plank fell about 30 feet as she and her friends exited her car — crushing her and her car.

Police said she was taken to hospital suffering from serious, life-threatening injuries.

The family representative said that the young woman, who loved country music, died of her injuries KSL on monday.

Ahlander, who grew up in American Fork and had been living in Seattle, returned to the Beehive State with friends to enjoy the music festival and see Post Malone, her uncle Bobby Ahlander wrote in a heartbreaking letter. Facebook mail.

“I always liked to have a good time. She was really fun to be around,” he told KSL.

“Honestly, it’s been painful. Sadness and grief and, of course, it’s a huge surprise; it’s just a huge loss.”

Her uncle said that while his niece and her friends were standing outside the car, the plank hit her in what he called a “freak accident.”

He revealed that although first responders were able to revive her at the scene, doctors later discovered that she was not experiencing any brain activity.

Her family said she was on life support long enough to say goodbye.

“Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth and sense of adventure touched everyone around her,” family members wrote on GoFundMe to help with funeral and medical expenses, and to provide funds for her friends who witnessed the tragedy to attend grief counseling.

“Even in death, 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 revealed to KSL that Ahlander’s love of music was matched only by her love of the outdoors, the ocean and her life in the Pacific Northwest.

After graduating from American Fork High School, she headed to Oregon for college before settling in Seattle, where she fell in love with her new surroundings.

“Ava was an absolute delight to be a human being. Everyone loved her. She had the best smile,” her uncle wrote on Facebook.