Special report on Sir Edmund Hillary - who conquered Everest (Image © AP Photo/Dave Watson)
Death of Everest hero Sir Edmund
Death of Everest hero Sir Edmund (Image © pa.press.net)

Sir Edmund Hillary, the man who conquered Mount Everest, has died of a heart attack, the New Zealand government said.

The 88-year-old shot to fame when he scaled the world's highest mountain along with Tenzing Norgay in 1953, just days before the coronation of Elizabeth II.

After returning from the summit, the famously matter-of-fact climber greeted a fellow expedition member with the words: "Well, George, we've knocked the b****** off."

More on Sir Edmund

Sir Edmund Hillary - obituary (Image © PA Wire)
Sir Edmund Hillary - obituary
Sir Edmund Hillary, who conquered Mount Everest along with Sherpa Tenzing, was one of the great adventurers and heroes of his generation. On May 29, 1953, the two intrepid mountaineers stood on top of the world. The news got to London just in time for the coronation of Elizabeth II.
Nepal's mountaineering community mourns Hillary's death (Image ©)
Nepal's mountaineering community mourns Hillary's death
Nepal's mountaineering community mourned the death of Edmund Hillary on Friday who was conferred this Himalayan nation's honorary citizenship in 2003 on the golden jubilee of the conquest of Mount Everest.
Sir Edmund's life - mapped
Sir Edmund's life - mapped
Windows Live Maps presents a geographical guide to the life of Sir Edmund Hillary, the great explorer who has died at the age of 88.
Your memories (Image © PA Wire)
Your memories
New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Nepal's Tenzing Norgay Sherpa became the first to conquer Mount Everest, has died. He was 88. How will you remember the intrepid adventurer? Do you think he was a true hero?

In pictures: Sir Edmund Hillary

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Edmund Hillary Inline Video
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