OZ bushfires icon, Sam the Koala, dies

Australia PM Kevin Rudd yesterday led mourning for Sam the koala, whose rescue from deadly bushfires inspired the nation but who died during surgery.

Australia PM Kevin Rudd yesterday led mourning for Sam the koala, whose rescue from deadly bushfires inspired the nation but who died during surgery.

Sam was found thirsty and severely burned in February and shot to fame when footage of her drinking bottled water offered by a fireman circulated widely.

Rudd said he had been saddened to learn of the death of "that wonderful koala".

Sam was found thirsty and severely burned in February and shot to fame when footage of her drinking bottled water offered by a fireman circulated widely (below).

"The symbol of hope for so many people around the world was the great picture of that wonderful koala being fed water by one of our firefighters," Rudd said.