US Senator Edward Kennedy dies at 77

Washington: US Senator Edward Kennedy, the second senior most member of the US Senate, and the last surviving brother of one of America's most legendary political families, died late on Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. He was 77.

Sen Kennedy had been battling brain cancer since May 2008.

Kennedy was one of only six senators in US history to serve more than 40 years, being elected to eight full terms to become the second most-senior senator after West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd.

"We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," a family statement said. "We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice."

Kennedy was the younger brother of slain president John F Kennedy and New York Sen. Robert Kennedy, who was gunned down in a presidential primary race in 1968. His own presidential hopes ended in a 1980 defeat to then president Jimmy Carter. The defeat centred primarily around a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island on 18 July 1969.

Kennedy drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick, off Cape Cod and though he managed to escape, his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. He denied having been drunk and said he made "seven or eight" attempts to save Kopechne before exhaustion made him give up further attempts.