Czech soldier and hero Jiří Schams, who survived a deadly suicide attack in Afghanistan in 2008, has died at the age of 42.

Jiří Schams, a Czech soldier and hero who was seriously injured in a suicide bomber’s attack while serving in Afghanistan in 2008, died on Wednesday at the age of 42. The soldier, who was struck in the head with shrapnel, spent two months in a coma before beginning the long road to recovery. He made progress but still suffered permanent disability. In the attack in March 2008 two Danes, four Afghans, and a fellow Czech were killed. Last May Mr Schams was diagnosed with cancer, which he called a “punch below the belt” after everything he had been through. He will be given a funeral with full military honours.

Author: Jan Velinger