A devoted dad-of-three has tragically died after being smashed over the head with a vodka bottle while on a stag do in Prague.
David ‘Dai’ Richards, 31, from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was brutally attacked in a city street on Friday, September 20, and passed away in hospital the following day.
The provisional cause of death has been given as blunt force trauma, with the family revealing he was struck just once to the back of the head in a “blind attack”. Mr Richards leaves behind his heartbroken partner, Jola Simms, and their three young children, Aurora, four, Bear, two, and one year old Vienna.
His devastated family have paid tribute to “an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend”, describing him as the “glue of the family”. In a poignant statement, Mr Richards’ sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and partner Miss Simms recounted the events leading up to the tragedy.
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After returning from a family holiday on Thursday night, Mr Richards had jetted off to Prague on Friday for the stag do of a close friend. However, by 10pm that night, the family received a distressing phone call from Mr Richards’ friend Nathan, informing them of the horrific incident and urging them to fly out as soon as possible.
The family held onto hope that Mr Richards would pull through his injuries, but sadly, life-support machines were switched off on Saturday afternoon, leaving them to come to terms with their unbearable loss. Recounting the grim details, they 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.”
A good Samaritan from France reportedly provided immediate first aid, reports Wales Online.
The family expressed that the heartache was amplified as the events unfolded overseas, feeling the local authorities werent doing enough. They shared: “What we found as a family was that they were really abrupt and blunt and just not that helpful to us. It just didn’t seem like a nice place to visit,” lamenting their dire circumstances.
They added: “We just had an awful experience even when we were asking for help and they were just looking at us really blank.”
Some relatives continue to stay in Prague awaiting the official death certificate.
Paying tribute to Mr Richards, his family fondly remembered him: “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.”
Highlighting his virtues, they continued: “He was an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend. There isn’t a bad word to be said about him.”
In light of the tragedy, they’ve launched a fundraiser to ease the financial strains on Miss Sims, who faces the future as a young single mother of three.
“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.”
AFC Abercynon, where Mr Richards played, released a statement saying: “On behalf of everyone at AFC Abercynon we send our deepest condolences to the Richards family especially Jola, her children, and our teammate Matthew. 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.”
Matthew, who also played for the team, is Dai’s older brother.
A spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office stated: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in the Czech Republic.”
Local media in the Czech Republic reported that a 26 year old man, who was also a tourist but whose nationality has not been disclosed, was arrested outside a hotel following the incident.
Prague Morning reported on Tuesday, citing police spokesman Jan Danek, that the men were part of separate groups who had been conversing when a dispute erupted. As per Prague Morning, he stated: “One individual struck another in the head with a vodka bottle. The impact was so severe that the victim collapsed immediately and tragically died in the hospital.”
Mr Danek further commented: “The 26-year-old man is now facing charges of grievous bodily harm and disorderly conduct. If convicted he could be sentenced to up to 16 years in prison.”