BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Sir Edmund Hillary, best known being the first to climb Mount Everest with his sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, is reported to be in a New Zealand hospital after a fall.

Hillary, 87, who climbed the world's tallest mountain in 1953, is believed to have fallen during the weekend, the New Zealand Herald newspaper's website reported.

Lady June Hillary said in a statement Tuesday her husband was admitted to a hospital after the couple returned from a visit to Nepal on Sunday.

Lady Hillary said she was "happy" with her husband's progress and that he is "in a comfortable position and improves daily," although she gave no comment on the nature of his injury or illness.

Sir Hillary has suffered from altitude sickness for many years and has walked with the aid of a cane for the past several years.

During Hillary's recent visit to the Himalayas he joined Elizabeth Hawley -- unofficial chronicler of expeditions in the Himalayas for 40 years -- in meeting members of the 2007 "SuperSherpas Expedition" in Katmandu.

The SuperSherpas Expedition hopes to make an historic all-Sherpa attempt on the summit of Everest next month to bring attention to the Sherpa people, who have been guides for every successful attempt on Everest. Many feel their role is under-appreciated.

Since first reaching the 29,035-foot summit of Everest, Hillary has donated millions of dollars to the Sherpas for building schools, hospitals, clinics, roads and bridges.

He has also helped pay for restoring temples and improving water supplies Nepal.

Besides his Everest exploits, Hillary also helped lead a team to the South Pole in 1955. He was the first person to drive to the pole, using a modified farm tractor.

(Agencies)