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Ava Ahlander, 23, Dies After Windblown Scaffolding Strikes Her Outside RedWest Festival

Police attribute the fatal blow to a sudden high-wind burst near an active construction site.

Overview

  • Salt Lake City police say a large plank from scaffolding at 1055 W. North Temple hit Ahlander near her parked car during the festival’s evacuation.
  • Bystanders and first responders performed CPR before she was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
  • Her family says doctors later found no brain activity, she was kept on life support for goodbyes, and her organs were donated.
  • The National Weather Service had issued a high-wind warning with gusts up to about 60 mph as a storm moved through the Wasatch Front.
  • Saturday’s RedWest events, including headliner Post Malone, were canceled due to the storm, and the family launched a GoFundMe for medical, funeral, and counseling costs.