A woman who was critically injured by flying debris over the weekend while trying to escape a storm that disrupted Redwest Music Festival has died, according to her family.
Ava Ahlander, 23, originally from American Fork but residing in Seattle, died at a hospital after her organs were donated, a family representative said. They said she had returned to Utah to attend the music festival at Utah State Fairpark with a friend, as she loved music festivals.
“Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her,” her family wrote on a GoFundMe* page. “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.”
Officers and firefighters responded to a report of an injured person near 1055 W. North Temple shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, according to Salt Lake Police Lt. Leigh Willis. The concert had been suspended as a thunderstorm rolled into the Wasatch Front, and many attendees started running for cover to avoid the lightning, rain and strong winds.
Ahlander was near her car, which was parked near a construction site, when she was struck by a large plank from scaffolding that also fell onto her car, Willis said. She was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Doctors ultimately determined that she had lost brain activity, according to her family. They say she was kept on life support long enough for her family to say goodbye, and for organ donation.
Saturday’s storm prompted a high wind warning from the National Weather Service, which said wind gusts of 60 mph were possible as a cold front swept through the region. Willis said a strong wind burst likely caused the scaffolding to fall.
The concert’s Saturday festivities, including a performance from headliner Post Malone, were ultimately canceled because of the weather.
Contributing: Eric Cabrera
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited into the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
