Brother of drowned carer Nischal Ghimire arrives in Adelaide to bring brother’s body back to Nepal
The brother of carer Nischal Ghimire, who drowned off Glenelg beach on Thursday, has arrived in Adelaide and into the welcoming arms of the South Australian Nepalese community.
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The brother of drowning victim Nischal Ghimire has arrived in Adelaide to the welcoming arms of friends and the Nepalese community.
Older brother Ghanashyam Ghimire learnt of the discovery of his younger sibling’s body shortly before boarding a flight to Adelaide to help in the search.
He is now being supported by the small, tight-knit South Australian Nepalese community, which is mourning the loss of the 22-year-old nursing graduate.
Mr Ghimire’s older brother was comforted by a dozen supporters at the Adelaide Airport after his 15-hour flight from Kathmandu.
On Sunday he spoke with police and was in the company of family friends as he made arrangements to bring his brother’s body home to their grieving parents.
Mr Ghimire’s brother and members of the Nepalese community are expected to offer prayers at the funeral home on Tuesday before the body is flown back to Nepal for final burial rituals.
Mr Ghimire’s brother has declined financial assistance from the Nepalese community and has said he will ensure the body is repatriated back home.
On Thursday, the Clarence Park man had been looking after Kevin Maghsoodi, his 10-year-old client whom he had a special bond with, and took him to Glenelg for a swim.
The alarm was raised when the naked young boy — who is severely autistic and non-verbal with significant intellectual disabilities — knocked on a nearby Glenelg North home’s door, screaming, dripping wet and alone in the early hours of Friday.
Some of his family members believe Mr Ghimire, who emigrated in mid-2016 from the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, may have drowned while attempting to save Kevin’s life despite not being able to swim.
Cousin Nawayuva Ghimire, who flew in from Sydney on Sunday morning, expressed his sadness at losing a young member of his family.
“(Nischal’s) eldest brother had cut short his holiday in Austria to fly back to Nepal to be with his parents,” he said.
“(Nischal) has just graduated … and was going to see his parents.”
It was understood the 22-year-old had not been home to Nepal for more than two years, during which he chased his dreams of being a disability carer and juggled part-time study.
Mr Ghimire was described as a humble, caring and hardworking but shy Nepalese migrant, whose greatest life goal was to “make his family proud”.
Mr Ghimire’s flatmate Kumar Rupakheti, 22, said he last spoke to his friend of two years — who loved playing soccer — at midday on Thursday before he went to pick up Kevin.
“I said to him he should go and get changed because it was so hot outside,” said Mr Rupakheti, also a carer.
“He didn’t tell me what they were going to do. It was just a casual chat, he seemed normal and nothing was wrong with him.
“He was really kind person and everyone liked him. He was so loved.”
The pair loved spending time playing computer games and solving the world’s problems — especially over his favourite drink, Corona.
He said Mr Ghimire loved traditional and “typical” Nepalese curries, pork and rice.
He also liked pies and BBQs.
Sanju Shrestha, 24, from Kathmandu, worked with him at Unicampus Education Network, where he was an intern and she was a finance and project co-ordinator.
“He was always such a good worker,” she said.
“He was alone here from his family but he had lots of friends.
“His life was quite difficult there as he missed his family. But he was always smiling. He was a really sweet guy, silent, kind, honest, and shy but once you got to know him he was fun and friendly.”
Adelaide Nepalese community president Gokul Dhakal paid tribute to Mr Ghimire.
“Though you are not present, your innocence, your behaviour and you will always inspire us for better life,” Mr Dhakal said.
“You have taught a lesson to thousands other how dangerous can be beaches here by sacrificing yourself.
“We can’t repay you, except our tears, condolences and prayers.”
Mr Ghimire is at least the ninth overseas-born person to have drowned in SA waters since Anzac Day, 2014.
A police report is being prepared for State Coroner Mark Johns.
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