A 23-year-old woman died in a “freak accident” Saturday after she was struck in the head by dislodged scaffolding due to severe weather while attending the RedWest music festival in Utah, according to FOX 13 Now.
Ava Ahlander sought shelter in her car when the festival was evacuated due to severe weather, FOX 13 Now reported. At one point, she stepped out of her car and was hit by the 2×12 scaffolding board that the wind had blown from a nearby apartment under construction.
The board fell 30 feet, hitting both Ahlander and her car. She was transported to a local hospital before succumbing to her injuries Monday, her family confirmed to FOX 13 Now.
Ahlander’s uncle, Bobby Ahlander told KGW 8 his niece’s death is the “definition of a freak accident.”
“The weather was bad. It was very windy,” he said.
“[The scaffolding board] just struck her while she was getting into the car,” he continued. (RELATED: Four Dead After Shooting At South Carolina Bar)
“It’s the definition of a freak accident,” Bobby said.
Amber Davis, a close friend and co-worker of Ahlander’s, remembered her as the “life of the party.”
“She tries to uplift everyone. She’s the life of the party anywhere you go,” Davis said.
Davis also told KGW 8 how excited Ahlander was to attend the music festival.
“She was so excited before she left. She couldn’t stop talking about it,” she explained.
Despite the tragic loss, Ahlander still uplifts others. Years before her death, Ahlander registered as an organ donor, according to KGW 8. Her family told the outlet that even in death, she continues to give the “gift of life to others.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up in Ahlander’s honor has raised over $20,000 as of writing. The funds will be used to cover the cost of her burial and medical bills, as well as counseling services for those affected by her death.