Sir Edmund Hillary, Everest conqueror, dies
The New Zealand-born mountaineer had become increasingly frail over the last few years and he was thought to have recently suffered from pneumonia.
Helen Clark, the prime minister of New Zealand paid tribute, saying: "The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived. But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi."
"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary and his extended family."
On the 29 May, 1953, Hillary made history by becoming the first person to reach the peak of Everest alongside Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
The victory, which was achieved on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, was seen as a huge accomplishment against nature as many attempts had previously failed.
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
Helen Clark, the prime minister of New Zealand paid tribute, saying: "The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived. But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi."
"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary and his extended family."
On the 29 May, 1953, Hillary made history by becoming the first person to reach the peak of Everest alongside Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
The victory, which was achieved on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, was seen as a huge accomplishment against nature as many attempts had previously failed.