Dad-of-three hit on the head in “blind attack” died on Prague stag do

David ‘Dai’ Richards from Wales was hit on the head with a vodka bottle

A dad-of-three has died after he was attacked with a vodka bottle while on a stag do in the Czech Republic. David ‘Dai’ Richards, 31, died in hospital in Prague on Saturday, September 21, after he was hit on the head in a “blind attack” the night before.

His family said they have been told his provisional cause of death is blunt force trauma, after he was struck once to the back of the head. Mr Richards, from Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, left behind his partner, Jola Simms, daughter Aurora, four, son Bear, aged two, and one-year-old daughter, Vienna. His heartbroken family have shared their own tribute to “an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend”, who was the “glue of the family,” reports WalesOnline.

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

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The family said when they arrived they hoped Mr Richards would pull through. However life-support machines were switched off on Saturday afternoon. 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.” The family said a French passer-by gave first aid at the scene. Some of Mr Richards’ family remain in Prague while they wait for the death certificate.

The family paid an emotional tribute to Mr Richards: “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.” They have now set up a fundraising page to help with the burden on Miss Sims who is now 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.”

Prague Morning on Tuesday quoted police spokesman Jan Daněk who said the men were part of separate groups who had been talking but 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.” You can donate to the fundraiser here.