Attendee Dies After Tragic Accident at Utah Music Festival

A young woman who attended a country music festival in Utah has died after a tragic freak accident involving debris from a nearby construction site.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, 23-year-old Ava Ahlander was outside of the Redwest Music Festival at Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. Ahlander and other guests were following orders to evacuate the area after that day of the festival was canceled. While leaving the scene, high winds picked up a large plank from nearby scaffolding.

That plank fell 30 feet as Ahlander and her friends were stepping out of a car, crushing her and the vehicle. Ahlander was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries, and her family later confirmed that those injuries were fatal.

Ahlander's family described her as "an absolute delight of a human being," noting that she traveled from Seattle to see Post Malone at the festival with her friends. Ahlander grew up in the American Fork area of Utah, roughly 30 minutes outside of Salt Lake.

Redwest Music Festival Affected by Weather

Malone was the headliner for the festival's second day, which was eventually canceled due to severe weather. Organizers made the decision to cancel after first postponing the second show of the three-day event, but honored Saturday's tickets the following day.

“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,” the festival said on Saturday evening. Ty Myers, Treaty Oak Revival, Ole 60, Sons of Habit and Koe Wetzel were all set to perform in addition to Post Malone.

Sunday's show at Redwest was headlined by Noah Kahan, who acknowledged the crowd that wasn't able to see Malone on Saturday.

“To every single person last night that didn’t have the experience they wanted, I hope that we can have a good time with y’all tonight," Kahan told the crowd in Salt Lake City before beginning his 16-song set to close the festival.

Ahlander's Family Has Support

Ahlander's family has established a GoFundMe account following her passing, and it has raised over $20,000 for her memorial service and other associated costs.

"Ava was a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her," the family wrote in the fundraiser. "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."

Rest in peace to Ava Ahlander. We send condolences to her friends, family and loved ones during this difficult time.