The RedWest Music Festival in Salt Lake City was struck by tragedy this past weekend when severe weather conditions led to the death of 23-year-old Ava Ahlander, who was attending the country music festival with friends. The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebration of music and community at the Utah State Fairpark.
Storm Forces Festival Evacuation
Saturday evening’s festivities at the RedWest Music Festival came to an abrupt halt when severe weather moved through Salt Lake City, forcing organizers to evacuate the venue and instruct attendees to seek immediate shelter. The National Weather Service had issued a high wind warning for the region, with wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph as a powerful cold front swept through the area.
The festival, which featured headliners including Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, and Noah Kahan, had drawn thousands of country music fans to the Utah State Fairpark for the three-day event running from October 10-12, 2025. Post Malone’s highly anticipated Saturday performance was among the acts ultimately canceled due to the dangerous weather conditions.
The Fatal Accident
Ava Ahlander, originally from American Fork but residing in Seattle, was near a car with three friends when tragedy struck. The group had parked near a construction site while seeking shelter from the storm. Police reports indicate that a 2-foot by 12-foot scaffolding board was dislodged by the powerful winds from a nearby apartment building under construction, falling approximately 30 feet before striking Ahlander and her vehicle.
According to her uncle Bobby Ahlander, all four friends were outside the vehicle when the plank hit Ava in what he described as a “freak accident.” She had to be revived at the scene before being rushed to a local hospital. Medical professionals later determined that the impact had crushed her brain stem, and despite efforts to save her life, she was declared brain dead.
A Life Remembered
Ava Ahlander had traveled from her home in Seattle specifically to attend the RedWest Music Festival, driven by her passion for live music and her excitement to see her favorite artist, Noah Kahan, perform. Friends described her as hard-working and full of energy, saying she was “the life of the party anywhere you go” and someone who “tries to uplift everyone.”
Her uncle revealed that Ava was particularly excited about the festival lineup, wearing a Post Malone shirt on Saturday and looking forward to performances by multiple artists including Noah Kahan, for whom she was a superfan. She had Kahan’s track “Stick Season” on repeat since its 2022 release, with “You’re Gonna Go Far” being her favorite song.
Working as a restaurant manager in Lake Stevens, Washington, Ahlander had moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2021 but maintained strong ties to her Utah roots and frequently attended concerts and music festivals.
Final Act of Generosity
In a final act of kindness that reflected her caring nature, Ava Ahlander had previously registered as an organ donor. Her family kept her on life support long enough to say their goodbyes and allow for organ donation to proceed, giving others the gift of life even in her tragic passing.
Her family had previously discussed her wishes, with plans to have some of her ashes kept in Utah near relatives and others scattered in the Pacific Northwest ocean “so that she could swim with the orcas,” as her uncle Bobby noted was “kind of a beautiful thing” given her love for the region.
Community Response and Support
The Ahlander family established a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with funeral costs, which quickly surpassed its initial $15,000 goal and has raised over $25,000 as of this week. The funds will cover burial expenses, medical bills, and counseling services for family members and friends affected by the tragedy.
The incident has also sparked discussions about festival safety and emergency procedures, with some attendees organizing potential legal action regarding the event’s handling of the severe weather situation and communication during the evacuation.
Festival Aftermath and Legal Concerns
Following Saturday’s weather-related cancellations, RedWest organizers allowed ticketholders from Saturday to attend Sunday’s performances at no additional charge. However, questions about refunds and the festival’s emergency response procedures remain unresolved.
Derrick Yerkes has been working to organize a class action lawsuit against the festival, with over 500 people signing up and more than 300 sharing their experiences of what they described as dangerous conditions during the evacuation. The organizers have declined interviews but stated they are working through next steps, acknowledging that the process takes time.
Weather and Safety Implications
The Salt Lake City Police Department characterized the incident as involving a “strong wind burst” that likely caused the scaffolding to fail, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of severe weather events. The tragedy highlights the challenges festival organizers face when severe weather threatens outdoor events with large crowds.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly weather conditions can turn dangerous at outdoor venues, particularly when construction sites are nearby. Industry experts note that while festivals have established protocols for severe weather, the proximity of active construction zones adds additional risk factors that require careful consideration in emergency planning.
Continuing Impact
Family members emphasized that Ava had overcome earlier struggles with mental health and had worked hard to build a life she loved, making her tragic death even more heartbreaking for those who knew her. Her uncle reflected that despite the awful circumstances, “she literally died doing the thing she loved to do” – attending a concert with friends and enjoying live music.
The RedWest Music Festival community and broader live music industry continue to process this tragic loss while examining how such incidents might be prevented in the future. Ava Ahlander’s death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of comprehensive safety protocols at outdoor events, particularly when severe weather conditions develop rapidly.
The festival concluded on Sunday as planned, but the shadow of Saturday’s tragedy remained over the event, with many attendees and performers dedicating thoughts and prayers to Ava’s memory and her family during their time of grief.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the tragic accident at RedWest Music Festival?
Ava Ahlander was struck by a 2-foot by 12-foot scaffolding board that was blown by severe winds from a nearby apartment building under construction. The board fell approximately 30 feet during a storm that forced the festival’s evacuation.
Who was Ava Ahlander?
Ava Ahlander was a 23-year-old woman originally from American Fork, Utah, who was living in Seattle and working as a restaurant manager. She was known for her love of live music and was attending the festival specifically to see Noah Kahan perform.
What was the weather condition during the incident?
The National Weather Service had issued a high wind warning with wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph as a cold front moved through Salt Lake City, prompting festival organizers to evacuate the venue and instruct attendees to seek shelter.
How has the community responded to this tragedy?
The community has established a GoFundMe fundraiser that has raised over $25,000 to help cover funeral costs, medical bills, and counseling services. Ava was also an organ donor, allowing her to help others even in death.
Are there any legal actions being taken regarding the festival?
Derrick Yerkes is organizing a potential class action lawsuit against the festival, with over 500 people signing up and more than 300 sharing their experiences about the dangerous conditions during the evacuation.
What happened to the festival after the accident?
Saturday’s performances were canceled due to weather, but festival organizers allowed Saturday ticketholders to attend Sunday’s shows at no additional charge. The festival concluded as planned on Sunday.