Pictured: American boy, 15, who died in avalanche in Switzerland identified as Illinois teenager Aleksas Beiga, the son of an Olympian

The American teenager killed in a Swiss avalanche has been pictured for the first time and identified as Aleksas Beiga of Illinois, son of an Olympic swimmer.

Aleksas, 15, was one of three people killed in the colossal snowfall near a popular ski resort in Zermatt on Easter Monday.

A fourth person was also found injured and flown to a nearby hospital after a dramatic hunt in the Riffelberg area involving four helicopters.

Friends have described Aleksas as a “beacon of kindness and intelligence” who loved outdoor sports, including “carving the slopes on his skis” in a fundraising campaign launched for his family.

“Words cannot capture the depth of grief we feel, nor adequately express the profound loss of a young soul so full of promise, joy and vitality,” they say. fundraising is reading.

Aleksas’ father, Ned Beiga, 52, is a Lithuanian former professional swimmer who competed in the breaststroke event at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Beiga now runs a Chicago-based company that repairs homes after they’ve been damaged by emergencies like fire or flooding.

Friends remembered Aleksas for his “infectious laugh, boundless energy and compassionate heart” who “touched the lives of all who knew him” and “brightened every room he entered.”

“His vibrancy knew no bounds, and his zest for life was unparalleled,” they wrote.

“Whether he was diving into the pool, racing the trails on his bike, or climbing the slopes on his skis, Aleksas approached every moment with enthusiasm and passion.”

“In addition to his adventurous spirit, Aleksas was a beacon of kindness and intelligence,” she added.

“His warmth and empathy knew no bounds, and he had a remarkable ability to uplift those around him with his words and actions.

“Whether it was through a witty joke that brought laughter in a somber moment or a thoughtful gesture that brought comfort to a friend in need, Aleksas had a profound impact on everyone who crossed his path.”

The fundraiser said the teenager’s “sudden” death had left an “irreparable void in the hearts of his family and friends.”

It adds that the GoFundMe was launched to help with the costs of bringing Aleksas’ body home.

In the aftermath of the avalanche, 45 rescuers searched for the missing skiers.

They were assisted by eight avalanche dog guides, 13 rescue specialists, 15 firefighters and local ski instructors.

“The deceased are a 15-year-old American and a man and a woman whose identification has not yet been completed,” said a statement from local authorities.

The injured person was a 20-year-old Swiss man, she added.

Authorities are warning of the risk of more disasters due to heavy snowfall and hurricane force winds in the region.

The skiers were reportedly in an area prone to deep snow, outside the marked ski slopes, around 2 p.m. when the avalanche struck.

“It seemed like there were several people on the slope at the time of the avalanche,” a shocked witness told local newspaper Blick.

Bruno Jelk, former head of Zermatt’s mountain rescue service and current head of Mattertal’s avalanche monitoring, said several people had come off the slopes on a “very steep slope” where tracks could still be seen.

‘The search was not that easy in the beginning’ said Anjan Truffer, head of rescue at Air Zermatt.

Two of the victims were found with avalanche seekers on their bodies, authorities said.

Police said the other two victims were a man and a woman, whose “identification is still ongoing.”

Truffer added: ‘At the moment, thank God, we have no further signs of people who could be buried.’

The ski area was some 2,500 meters above sea level and avalanche warnings are issued occasionally.

Much snow had fallen over the Easter weekend as the mountains were battered by strong ‘hurricane force’ winds, local media said reported.

“Very large, and in some cases extremely large, spontaneous avalanches are to be expected,” the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said.

‘The slopes are 100 percent secured. There is no safety concern for people spending time alone on the slopes,” Truffer added.