First man to conquer Everest dies at 88

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to climb to the top of Mount Everest, has died at the age of 88. The New Zealander's health had reportedly been in decline since April, when he suffered a fall while visiting Nepal.

Hillary was made an honorary Nepalese citizen after devoting much of his life to helping people living in the shadow of the world's highest mountain.

On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first men to reach the 8,848 metre summit of Mount Everest.

Hillary was knighted for his achievement by Queen Elizabeth II.