New Zealand bids farewell to most famous son

DIGNITARIES from around the world paid their respects to Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary at his state funeral yesterday.

The adventurer, who died at 88 of a heart attack on January 11, shot to fame when he scaled the world’s highest mountain with Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953.

His family and about 500 invited guests gathered at St Mary’s Church in Auckland, New Zealand, for the funeral.

The Queen was represented at the funeral and has offered the Hillary family a memorial service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in April.

As the service began, five Sherpas laid traditional Tibetan prayer scarves on Sir Edmund’s coffin.

The ice axe the explorer used on his expedition to Everest was placed on top of his flag-draped casket.

New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark paid tribute to a man who had been “an inspiration and role model for generations of New Zealanders”.

“We mourn as a nation because we know we are saying goodbye to a friend.

“Whether we knew Sir Ed personally, a lot, a little or not at all, he was a central part of our New Zealand family.”

The service was broadcast live and thousands of people gathered in front of screens across the nation.

Norbu Tenzing Norgay, son of Sir Edmund’s companion on Everest’s summit, said Hillary’s transformation of the lives of two generations of Sherpas was “absolutely staggering”.

He said: “While we mourn his loss, his spirit forever will live and protect the great mountains he loved so much.”

Sir Edmund’s son Peter recalled: “Adventure was compulsory in the Hillary family.

“We always feared where Dad was going to take us in the upcoming school holidays.”

New Zealand Alpine Club members formed a guard of honour outside the church, holding ice axes aloft.

The cortege then moved on for a private cremation.