Akamai Technologies has confirmed that Danny Lewin, its founder and chief technology officer, was one of the victims of the terrorist attack in New York yesterday.

Lewin was aboard the American Airlines flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles - the first hijacked plane to crash into the World Trade Centre.

The 31-year-old, who was also chief technical officer of Massachusetts-based Web caching technology outfit Akamai, previously worked for IBM in its research laboratory in Isreal.

Akamai chairman and CEO George H Conrades said: "Danny was a wonderful human being. He will be deeply missed by his many friends at Akamai.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Danny's family, friends and colleagues during this time of national tragedy and personal loss."

Lewin leaves a wife and two children. ®