Tragic Accident at Utah Music Festival Claims Life of Young Woman

A 23-year-old woman has tragically died after suffering head injuries at a music festival in Utah, her family reported on Monday.

Eva Erlander was in Salt Lake City attending the Red West Music Festival with friends when the event was called off due to bad weather, her uncle, Bobby Erlander, shared.

According to Salt Lake City police, Eva and her friends sought refuge in a parked car outside the festival area. This is when the unfortunate accident took place.

Her uncle revealed that, “Her friends mentioned a large wooden plank suddenly flew and hit her in the head.”

Reports indicate that Eva exited her vehicle at one point because high winds caused a 2-foot by 12-foot scaffolding board from a nearby construction site to break loose. The board dropped about 30 feet, hitting her and her car.

Emergency services rushed Eva to the hospital, but doctors later pronounced her dead after determining that her brain stem had been compressed.

Bobby Erlander confirmed the heartbreaking news and expressed his grief in a statement, sharing, “This is absolutely devastating news, and I’m heartbroken. Eva was a joy to everyone. She had an infectious smile and was a huge concert fan—she even flew in from Seattle to see Post Malone with her friends. I love her and will really miss her.”

Eva’s GoFundMe page describes her as a “beautiful soul” whose warmth and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her. It notes that she was also an organ donor.

Reflecting on her decision to help others even in death, Erlander remarked, “I think it’s very beautiful.” He highlighted her caring nature and her desire to assist those in need.