PM pays tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary

PM pays tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary

11 January 2008

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay after their successful ascent of Mt Everest in 1953; image copyright: ReutersThe Prime Minster has paid tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, conquerer of Mt Everest, who has died in his native New Zealand.

In a Downing Street statement, the PM called Sir Edmund "a great hero who captured the imagination of the world".

He said:

"He was a truly great hero who captured the imagination of the world, a towering figure who will always be remembered as a pioneer explorer and leader."

Sir Edmund and fellow mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese sherpa, were the first men to reach the 8,850m summit of the world's highest mountain in 1953. Mr Hillary was also an avid adventurer and made several successful expeditions to the South Pole.

ENDS

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