(They were storybook immigrants, coming to America to start a new life, but not forgetting family back home. Nepalese natives Hishi Nagarkoti, 27, and Sunil Gurung, 25, died about 10 p.m. Oct. 4 at Boston Medical Center with family members at their sides. The two were hospitalized in comas after their car plunged into Plymouth Harbor a week ago.
Police were investigating the incident as a possible murder-suicide, but family members said the accident was a driving lesson that turned tragic.
Nagarkoti lived with Plympton resident Pat Gill for three years before she moved to a Plymouth apartment to be closer to work. Nagarkoti's sister and brother-in-law currently live with Gill and work in Plymouth.
Gurung was the cousin of Nagarkoti's roommate. The two met two years ago and were planning to marry, Gill said. "She was a very bright girl who spoke six languages," Gill said of Nagarkoti. "She took classes at Plymouth library to improve her English and writing skills. She wanted to be a nurse. She was always happy and smiling. All who met her loved her. She was the sweetest thing you could ever meet." Friends and co-workers described Gurung as a polite, studious and spiritual young man. He was friendly with a winning smile, they said. Gill said the two were clearly very happy together. Nagarkoti and Gurung each worked several jobs and sent money back to their families in Nepal. Nagarkoti had worked in just about every restaurant in Plymouth, including Gill's own, the Vine, and the Lobster Hut. Workers at the Lobster Hut were in tears Friday over Nagarkoti's death. Along with Gill, they created a fund to help defray travel and burial costs for the families. The families intend to hold a combined service for both Nagarkoti and Gurung in Plymouth, Gill said.
Nagarkoti bought the Jeep Cherokee in August. Gill taught her how to drive it. "I took her to several parking lots to teach her," Gill said. "She was still a very nervous driver and would not drive the car from Plymouth to my house." Nagarkoti told Gill and other family members she intended to teach Gurung how to drive the vehicle. He was anxious to learn, but Nagarkoti was nervous about teaching him, Gill said. Friends and family dismiss witness accounts saying the two argued just before the accident. They say it was a cultural misunderstanding, that the Nepalese are an animated people, often talking loudly and with hand gestures. Witnesses told police Gurung backed up quickly and then accelerated forward, driving the vehicle over a two-foot retaining wall and into the harbor. State environmental police say the incident looked like a driving lesson gone awry. Plymouth police are not commenting on the accident.
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