Dad-of-three dies in Prague stag do tragedy

A ‘lion-hearted’ dad has died after being hit with a bottle of vodka on the first night of a stag do in Prague.

David 'Dai' Richards from Wales was the victim of a ‘blind attack’ in a street in the capital city of the Czech Republic, his family said. The father-of-three, 31, died in a Prague hospital on Saturday - following the attack the night before.

His devastated relatives say they had been told the cause of death was blunt force trauma after he was struck with the bottle on the back of the head once.

According to local media, a 26 year old tourist has been arrested in connection with the incident and is now facing charges of grievous bodily harm and disorderly conduct.

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Mr Richards, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, south east Wales, was a partner to Jola Simms and father to Aurora, four, Bear, aged two, and one-year-old Vienna. His heartbroken family paid tribute to "an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend" who was the "glue of the family", Wales Online reported.

The family 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."

The family have set up a fundraising page to help to help Miss Simms, who is now a single mother of three.

They added: "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."

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Richards' sister-in-law Tammy Sheehan, cousin Gemma Thomas, and partner Miss Simms described how Mr Richards had returned from a family holiday on Thursday night before heading to Prague on Friday 20 September for the stag do of a close friend.

The family said: "He left the house at 5am and it was by 10pm that night our time Gemma and Jola had a phone call from [Mr Richards' friend] Nathan 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."

The family hoped Mr Richards would pull through from his injuries when they arrived but tragically his life-support machines were switched off on Saturday afternoon.

Detailing what they know so far about the incident, 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.

Some of Mr Richards' family remained in Prague as they waited for the death certificate.

A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesman said: "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 quoted police spokesman Jan Daněk, who said the men were part of separate groups who had been talking before an argument broke out.

According to Prague Morning, he said: "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 Daněk added: "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."