Hillary bodies cremated

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33807, 2 April 1975, Page 1

Hillary bodies cremated

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyrights

KATMANDU, April 1.

The bodies of the wife and daughter of Sir Edmund Hillary were cremated last night—hours after they died in a plane crash.

Nepali attendants lit the logs of the funeral pyre in a cremation ceremony without religious service on the banks of the Vishnumati River. Sir Edmund will take the ashes of his wife and his daughter, Belinda, to New Zealand later. The cremation was attended by Sir Edmund's elder brother, Rexford Hillary, and his parents-in-law, Mr and Mrs James Rose, of Auckland.

Lady Hillary, her teen-age daughter, Belinda, two close family friends, Mr Ang Gyale Lama and his American-born wife, Barbara Wylie, a New Zealand pilot, Peter Shand, and the Hillary’s pet dog, Tashi. died together when their single-engined Pilatus Porter crashed into a rice field soon after take-off from the local airport. Senior Nepali Government officials and the British and United States Ambassadors ; attended the cremation last night. I Although stunned by the Tragedy, Sir Edmund said he I would return to Paphlu i village later this week to con|tinue his work for the hosipital. ( The Queen and Prince | Philip today sent a message I of condolence. ' The Indian Prime Minister , (Mrs Ghandi) sent a message last night. The Prime Minister (Mr ; Rowling) said the death of i Lady Hillary was a great shock to every New Zeai lander.

, In a telegram to Sir Edimund, Mr Rowling said: “Lady Hillary’s work in ! Nepal and New Zealand, her 'deep compassion and enthusi-

asm were regarded with affection and respect. “Words seem so inadequate at such a time, but the prayers and thoughts of so many New Zealanders are with you,” Mr Rowling said. The 18-year-old daughter of Sir Edmund and Lady Hillary, Sarah, will fly to Nepal tomorrow with Peter Mulgrew for the funerals of her mother and Belinda. Mr Mulgrew, an Auckland industrial executive who lost his feet from frostbite after an expedition with Sir Edmund, is one of the Hillary family’s oldest friends. Sarah was at Anawhata, on the West Coast, yesterday when the news reached her. The Hillarys and Lady Hillary’s parents have holiday homes at Anawhata.