Nischal Ghimire, carer who drowned at Glenelg, just wanted to make his family in Nepal proud, friends say

The Nepalese carer who drowned at Glenelg has been remembered as a “humble and caring” man who had been living out his dream in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

Nischal Ghimire, above right, celebrating with friends in Hindley St this month.

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Nischal Ghimire was a humble, caring, hardworking but shy Nepalese migrant who had been living out his dream in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.

Always smiling, Mr Ghimire, 22, had told friends how his greatest life goal was to “make his family proud” as he juggled part-time study with his disability carer job.

It was his special bond with a 10-year-old severely disabled client that had brought him unexpected joy as he became so important to the boy, his mother and brother that he was considered “like family”.

The boy’s mother last night led tributes to the “very friendly” carer, after his body was found floating near the West Beach boat ramp.

The late Nischal Ghimire

Kevin Maghsoodi: Picture supplied by family

The discovery, just after 7.30pm on Friday, ended a desperate 17-hour search for Mr Ghimire, who had been looking after Kevin Maghsoodi.

Mr Ghimire, of Clarence Park, is believed to have taken the boy to Glenelg during this week’s heatwave and was last seen at 4pm on Thursday.

He was, however, not reported missing until 12.30am on Friday after the young boy — who is severely autistic and non-verbal with significant intellectual disabilities — knocked on the door of a nearby Glenelg North property, screaming, dripping wet and naked.

Some 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.

As his family arrive in Adelaide today, detectives are investigating how he came to be the fifth overseas-born person to drown in waters off Glenelg in almost three years. The police report is being prepared for State Coroner Mark Johns.

Family members were hopeful that Mr Ghimire’s body would to be flown back to Nepal to his parents earliest on Tuesday.

Kevin’s Iranian-born mother, Mary, 39, wept as she told the Sunday Mail how Mr Ghimire became part of her family over the past six months.

Speaking at her Edwardstown home, the single mother of two said he had formed a unique bond with her youngest son after being hired through Assured Home Care, where staff have been left devastated at the “horrible tragedy”.

The pair, she said, loved going to the playground, the park and beach while they also loved indulging in fast food.

Mrs Maghsoodi, a former disability worker who emigrated to Australia 16 years ago from Tehran, said two anecdotes proved his character.

He discovered Kevin’s love for chicken pies while he also kept a large range of toy cars in his glovebox to ensure the boy was kept “happy” while in his white Mitsubishi Colt, which was found parked near the beach. “I am heartbroken,” she said. “It has been so very hard.

“I wish he was here and not in the ocean. He was such a friendly man but very humble.

“He was so good with Kevin — the best carer he had. He understood him and I was really, really happy. He was like family to us. Kevin loved him.

“He was the only one to understand him. He was meek but not weak.”

Just three weeks ago, a soccer-mad Mr Ghimire celebrated with close friends on Hindley St, during which he spoke of a dream to travel Australia and finish a nursing diploma.

“He told us how he loved Adelaide and all he wanted to do was make his family so proud, which they were,” said best friend Nizam KC.

“He was always caring. He was such a good person. He was like my younger brother. He was very dedicated to his work.

“We are all so very sad. Everyone knew him because of his humbleness.” An Assured spokesman said “words are simply inadequate” after the “shocking news”. “We would like Nischal to be remembered as a caring, smiling person who brought joy to the world and delivered care to the people he was entrusted to look after professionally, diligently and with thoughtfulness,” he said.

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