Everest conqueror Edmund Hillary dies
Wellington, Jan 11: Sir Edmund Hillary, who was catapulted into the history books when he became the first man to climb Everest, died on January 10 at the age of 88.
Sir
Edmund,
who
conquered
the
world's
highest
mountain
in
1953,
had
been
suffering
health
problems
since
April
after
suffering
a
fall
whilst
in
Nepal.
His
wife,
Lady
June
Hillary
said
in
a
message
to
the
nation
that
he
was
in
good
spirits
until
he
died.
"Sir
Ed
died
peacefully
this
morning
at
9am,
his
heart
gave
out," Stuff.co.nz
quoted
Lady
Hillary,
as
saying
in
a
message
read
by
a
family
spokesman.
"He was 88. "He had been in good form and was looking forward to coming home and had remained in good spirits till the end. "The family are honoured to accept the Government's offer of a state funeral, recognising the impact he had on all New Zealanders," she said.
Mark Sainsbury, the family spokesman said that the family was comforted by messages of support from around the globe.
"His good friends the Sherpa people have called June and are organising their own memorial service in Nepal. The date for the funeral has yet to be set and will probably be done over the weekend as many relatives are overseas," he said.
Announcing Sir Ed's death, Prime Minister Helen Clark said his passing was a profound loss to New Zealand.
"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary, Sir Edmund's children, wider family, and close friends at this sad time," the PM said.
ANI