A British father-of-three has died after being “struck with a vodka bottle” during a stag do in Prague.
David ‘Dai’ Richards, 31, from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, passed away on Saturday following an incident in the Czech capital the night before.
His family described it as a “blind attack”, with the provisional cause of death given as blunt force trauma. Richards leaves behind his partner, Jola Simms, and their three young children: Aurora, four, Bear, two, and Vienna, one.
The tragedy occurred on the first night of a friend’s stag weekend, just hours after Richards had arrived in Prague.
David ‘Dai’ Richards died in the Czech capital
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Richards’ family paid tribute to him as “an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend” who was “the glue of the family”.
They said he had returned from a family holiday on Thursday, September 19 before flying off to Prague.
Speaking on behalf of the family, his sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, his cousin Gemma Thomas, and his partner Simms said: “He left the house at 5am and it was by 10pm that night our time Gemma and Jola had a phone call from [Richards’ friend] Nathan to say there was an incident and the whole family needed to get a flight as soon as possible as he was critical.
“It wasn’t a fight like what I think some people are thinking – it was a blind attack. From the attack he actually passed away from blunt force trauma. David was talking to locals in the street when he took a blow to the back of the head.”
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AFC Abercynon have paid tribute to him
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The family said: “It is absolutely awful. Jola being a single mother of three children she is going to be in an awkward financial situation so we just wanted to help.
The outpouring of love has been so overwhelming but it’s comforting to see how well-loved he was.”
A statement from AFC Abercynon, where Richards was a player, said: “On behalf of everyone at AFC Abercynon we send our deepest condolences to the Richards family. The world has lost a good man – a father, a son, and a brother.
“This is a loss for all of us but the grief and sorrow you as a family must feel are the deepest and most poignant and personal. As mark of respect to all involved our game [on Saturday] was postponed. Dai touched the lives of many involved at our club and we are devastated at this terrible loss.”
Local media reports that a 26-year-old man, who was a tourist but whose nationality has not been disclosed, was arrested outside a hotel following the incident.
Prague Morning reported that police spokesman Jan Daněk said the men were part of separate groups who had been talking but an argument was thought to have broken out.
According to Prague Morning he said: “One individual struck another in the head with a vodka bottle.The impact was so severe the victim collapsed immediately and tragically died in the hospital…the 26-year-old man is now facing charges of grievous bodily harm and disorderly conduct.
A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in the Czech Republic.”
To donate to a fundraiser for the family, click here.
