My condolences to his family and friends.


Sir Edmund Hillary dies

LATEST: Sir Edmund Hillary, who became a national hero when he was the first man to climb Mt Everest, has died aged 88.

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Sir Edmund Hillary, who was born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, died at Auckland City Hospital at 9am today, the Auckland District Health Board said.

The New Zealand flag will be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings from today until midnight Saturday to mark Sir Ed's death. Flags will also be flown at half-mast on the day of his funeral, the date of which is to be confirmed.

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," Miss Clark said.

Miss Clark said Sir Ed always described himself as an average New Zealander.

"In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only knocked off Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity."

Sir Ed's 1953 ascent of Mt Everest brought him world-wide fame and Miss Clark said the legendary mountaineer was the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived.

"But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi. He was ours - from his craggy appearance and laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing."

Miss Clark said Sir Ed had not basked idly in celebrity, drawing on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear.

She paid tribute to Sir Ed's humanitarian work with the Sherpa people of the Himalayas.

He established the Himalayan Trust in the early 1960s and worked tirelessly until his death to raise funds and build schools and hospitals in the mountains.

" The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already," Miss Clark said.

New Zealand's cricket team will wear black arm bands and observe a minute's silence along with the crowd before play starts on day one of the second test against Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve in Wellington tomorrow.

He was a GIANT! He and Tenzing Norgay. Great post Frank. New Zealanders should be proud of this man. I am.The news of their successful ascent reached England on my birthday!
Peter.

He was a great man, inspirational character and adventurer. He will be remembered, I believe the title to his aubituary title read "We will not see his kind again"
I had the pleasure of meeting his son, Peter once.

Rest in peace.

I believe that it was David Brashears who after Sir Edmund made a speech at a fund raiser in LA for his Himalaya Trust said "We shall not see your like again, Sir Edmund. We shall not see your like again".
Well said. George Legh-Mallory and Sandy Irvine will welcome him home.
Peter

I read in the paper today, that Sir Ed thought he would be remembered, not as the first man to climb Everest,but as the man who helped build schools and educate the locals. In today's Sydney Morning Herald,a very moving tribute, a full page ad by National Geographic, featuring a photo of Everest and on top of the mountain, a flag bearing the birthdate and death of Sir Edmund Hillary. Emotional indeed
Malcolm

Malcolm

Malcom, can you post or PM a link to that ad? It might make a great screen saver. I went to the SMH website but could not find it.
Thanks, Peter.

In Hillary's day, this was a great achievement. The sad fact is that nowadays, anyone willing to pay the money, can summit Everest. I was surprised to learn that for a Living, he was a Beekeper.
Grizz

Peter. page 26 of the "News Review" section of Saturdays Sydney Morning Herald
The full page ad is by the National Geographic Channel. The ad shows what appears to be a "photoshopped" flag, on top of Everest,flying at half mast.
Cheers Malcolm

The world has lost a true hero.