A British dad has died after he was allegedly smashed over the head with a vodka bottle while on a stag do in Prague.
David ‘Dai’ Richards, 31, from Mountain Ash in South Wales, died hours after arriving in the Czech capital last Saturday.
His family said he was struck across the back of his head in a ‘blind attack’.
The keen footballer and partner Jola Simms had three children together – Aurora, four, Bear, aged two, and one-year-old Vienna.
Jola, sister Tammy Sheehan and David’s cousin Gemma Thomas described him as ‘an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend’ who was ‘the glue of the family’.
They said he had only just returned from a family holiday on Thursday night before jetting off again for a close friend’s stag party on Friday.
In a statement, the added: ‘He left the house at 5am and it was by 10pm that night our time Gemma and Jola had a phone call to say that there was an incident that had happened with David and the whole family needed to get a flight as soon as possible as he was critical.’
When the family landed in Prague and got to the hospital, they hoped David would pull through, but his life-support machines were switched off on Saturday afternoon.
Describing what led to his injuries, the family said: ‘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.’
The family said a French passer-by gave first aid at the scene.
Paying tribute to David, they said: ‘We would describe David as having the heart of a lion.
‘He was an extremely family-orientated person. He was the fun one – he always brought the energy. We described him as the glue to the family. He was an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend. There isn’t a bad word to be said about him.’
A fundraising page has now been set up to help Jola, which says: ‘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.’
His local football club AFC Abercynon released a statement where they extended their ‘deepest condolences’ to David’s family and friends.
They continued: ‘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 that 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.
‘As a club we are here for any support you need and we are all thinking of you at this sad time. Rest in peace Dai.’
Local media in the Czech Republic have said a 26-year-old man has since been arrested and is facing charges of grievous bodily harm and disorderly conduct.
Czech police spokesperson Jan Daněk said an argument had broken out between two groups before the incident, according to Prague Morning.
A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesman said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in the Czech Republic.’
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