Pavel Srnicek has died at the age of 47, his agent Steve Wraith confirmed on Tuesday. The former Newcastle United goalkeeper suffered a cardiac arrest nine days ago while jogging in his native Czech Republic. He was admitted to a hospital Ostrava and induced into a coma.
Wraith said brain scans showed "irreversible damage," and Srnicek's family had taken the decision to switch off the life support machine. "Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday, 29 December 2015, with his family by his side," he added.
The big keeper played at St James' Park between 1991 and 1998, establishing himself as a fans' favourite. He enjoyed a brief return to the club for the 2006/07 season.
In a statement Wraith said:
It is with deep sadness that I have to announce the passing of former Newcastle United player Pavel Srnicek.
Pavel suffered a cardiac arrest before the Christmas period in his home country and had been in an induced coma in hospital with his close family around his bedside. Despite the best medical attention the final brain scans on Monday showed irreversible damage and the decision had to be taken to switch off the life support machine. Pav passed away on the afternoon of Tuesday 29th December 2015 with his family by his side.
Pavel, the goalkeeping coach at Sparta Prague, had recently been on a whistle stop tour of Tyneside to promote his autobiography 'Pavel Is A Geordie', something that he was very proud of. My final conversation with him was about getting the entertainers team back together one more time for charity next year as it will be 20 years since that Newcastle team almost won the Premier League. We will make that happen and celebrate this great man’s life together. United. Fans and players alike.
Anyone wishing to send cards then please send to Newcastle Legends c/o collingwood buildings. 38 collingwood street. Newcastle. NE1 1JF.