ROCHESTER, MA — Madelyn Eitas, an 11-year-old girl from Rochester, Massachusetts, died Thursday after she was caught in an avalanche while vacationing with her family in Utah.
According to the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, police received reports of an avalanche near Brighton Ski Resort on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at approximately 12:29 p.m.
Rescue efforts began immediately as the girl’s family and more than 20 civilians searched the area. Police said the girl’s brother, Cameron Eitas, helped locate her during the search.
“Her brother, Cameron Eitas, heroically used an application to locate her,” the Unified Police Department said in an update reported by 2KUTV.
The girl was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died from her injuries.
The Old Rochester Regional School District, which issued a statement without mentioning the girl’s name, confirmed Friday that the student attended Rochester Memorial School and had been on vacation with her family in Utah when she died.
“This is devastating news for our school community,” Superintendent Michael S. Nelson said in the statement. “We offer our sincere condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, and teachers during this unimaginable time. Our focus at this time is on supporting those who are grieving and we ask that the family’s privacy be respected.”
Superintendent Nelson added that counseling services are being made available to students and staff across the district.
