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| Sir Edmund Hillary dies aged 88 | Sir Edmund Hillary dies aged 88 |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, has died aged 88. | Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, has died aged 88. |
| New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark described the explorer as a heroic figure and said all New Zealanders would deeply mourn his passing. | New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark described the explorer as a heroic figure and said all New Zealanders would deeply mourn his passing. |
| Sir Edmund's health had reportedly been in decline since April, when he suffered a fall while visiting Nepal. | Sir Edmund's health had reportedly been in decline since April, when he suffered a fall while visiting Nepal. |
| He was the first man to climb the 8,850m (29,035ft) peak with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953. | He was the first man to climb the 8,850m (29,035ft) peak with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953. |
| Since his ascent, Sir Edmund has devoted his life to helping the Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003. | Since his ascent, Sir Edmund has devoted his life to helping the Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003. |
| 'Quintessential Kiwi' | |
| Announcing Sir Edmund's death on Friday, New Zealand's prime minister described him as a "heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity". | |
| He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark Obituary: Sir Edmund HillarySir Edmund: Your comments | |
| "The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," Ms Clark said. | |
| "But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi." | |
| "He was ours - from his craggy appearance to laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing." | |
| Born 19 July 1919, in Auckland, New Zealand, Sir Edmund served as a pilot during World War II and earned renown as an ice climber. | |
| In the 1980s he also served as New Zealand's ambassador to India. |