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Sir Edmund Hillary dies aged 88 Sir Edmund Hillary dies aged 88
(42 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. Returning to Everest base camp, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off."
After the ascent, Sir Edmund led a number of expeditions to the South Pole and devoted his life to helping the Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region.
His Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003.
'Quintessential Kiwi''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". Announcing Sir Edmund's death in Auckland after a brief illness, 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 tributesHe 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 tributes
"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," Ms Clark said. "The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," Ms Clark said in a statement.
"But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi.""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.""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. National pride
In the 1980s he also served as New Zealand's ambassador to India. The British adventurer and environmentalist, Pen Hadow, said Sir Edmund's death "closes one of the great chapters of planetary exploration".
"He was physically and metaphorically at the pinnacle of high adventure," the Dartmoor-based Arctic and Antarctic explorer told the Press Association.
Sir Edmund's fellow climber, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, died in May 1986
Born 19 July 1919, in Auckland, New Zealand, Sir Edmund began climbing mountains in his native country as a teenager and earned renown as an ice climber.
He also served as a pilot during World War II and as New Zealand's ambassador to India in the 1980s.
The BBC's Greg Ward in Auckland says Sir Edmund was arguably the most respected man in New Zealand.
His death has prompted an immediate outpouring of sympathy in New Zealand, with messages of condolences flooding in from around the globe, our correspondent says.