A British father has died in Prague after he was hit in the head in a “blind attack”.

David Richards, 31, was reportedly hit with a vodka bottle in the back of the head while on a stag do in the capital city of the Czech Republic.

He was attacked hours after arriving in the city following a holiday with his partner, Jola Simms, and their three children.

Mr Richards’ family said the father, from Mountain Ash, in South Wales, left the house at 5am on Friday to travel to Prague for the stag do of a close friend and by 10pm they had been informed that he had been involved in an incident and was in a critical condition.

The family said a French passer-by gave first aid at the scene. Mr Richards was put on a life support machine but died in hospital.

Local media reported a 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm.

Jan Daněk, a police spokesman, told Prague Morning, an English-language media outlet in the Czech Republic, that the two men were part of separate groups who had been talking before an argument broke out.

“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 said.

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.

Mr Richards’ family have disputed the suggestion he was involved in a fight and said it was instead 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 in a statement.

Mr Richards’ partner said the family’s world has “been crushed” since the devastating loss of her “soul mate”.

In a Facebook post, she said: “No amount of time behind bars will ever be enough for him, taking away my soul mate and our precious babies’ daddy. Our world has been crushed.”

The couple have three children: Aurora, four, Bear, aged two, and one-year-old Vienna.

A Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in the Czech Republic.”

The Incident

A trip to Prague meant to be a source of joy turned into a tragedy for 31-year-old David “Dai” Richards from Wales, UK.

On Saturday night, he was fatally injured in Národní třída following an altercation with another tourist.

Police report that David was struck in the head with a vodka bottle. His family has described the attack as brutal and unexpected. Some relatives are currently in Prague awaiting the issuance of a death certificate, according to various British and Irish media outlets.

Mr. Richards was a partner to Jola Simms and father to Aurora, four, Bear, aged two, and one-year-old Vienna.

His family have shared their own tribute to “an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend”, who was the “glue of the family”.

“Two groups of tourists, visiting Prague for the weekend, encountered each other on Národní třída on Saturday night. Initially, the atmosphere was friendly, and conversations flowed. However, a disagreement escalated, leading one individual to strike another with a vodka bottle. The blow was so forceful that the victim collapsed immediately and tragically passed away in the hospital,” stated police spokesman Jan Daněk.

David’s family confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital after suffering a blow to the back of his head.

Remembering David 'Dai' Richards

Originally from Mountain Ash in South Wales, David was a father to three young children and played football for Abercynon AFC.

His family learned about the incident from a friend who was with him in Prague. They also expressed their gratitude to a French tourist who promptly called for assistance.

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.

The Suspect

Law enforcement officials successfully apprehended the perpetrator.

“The 26-year-old man is facing charges of grievous bodily harm and rioting. If convicted, he could serve up to 16 years in prison, as the death resulted from his actions. Criminal investigators have submitted a petition to the prosecutor’s office to have him detained,” Daněk added.

A Community Mourns

The news of Mr. Richards' death has sent shockwaves through his hometown of Mountain Ash. Friends and family have taken to social media to express their grief and offer condolences to his loved ones.

Penrhiwceiber councillor Ross Williams spoke of the “outpouring of support” for the family and described Mr. Richards as “a very polite and funny kid” who was “always the life and soul of the party.”

AFC Abercynon, where Mr. Richards played football, also paid tribute, calling him “a good man, a father, a son, and a brother.”

The club's statement read: “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.”

The tragedy highlights the dangers of violence and the importance of promoting peace and understanding between people from different cultures.

A Call for Justice

The family is now calling for justice for Mr. Richards and are seeking answers about what happened to him. They have expressed their frustration with the local authorities in Prague, who they say have not been as helpful as they hoped.

The family’s anguish is echoed by many who are shocked and saddened by the senseless loss of life.

The investigation into Mr. Richards’ death continues and the suspect remains in custody awaiting trial. The family is seeking answers about what happened to Mr. Richards and are calling for justice for their beloved father, partner, son, brother, and friend.