A 16-year-old left fighting for life after being stabbed was attacked in a friendship row, police believe.

Luke Kennedy was brutally knifed in the back on the doorstep of a house in Crawley in a row between him and his attacker over a teenage pal.

The former St Wilfred's School pupil was left with a punctured lung after being stabbed with a kitchen knife from behind as he bent down to put on his trainers on Monday afternoon.

Neighbours watched in horror as Luke was flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

His condition was initially life-threatening but he has since shown a dramatic improvement. He has been moved to a high dependence unit where he is talking and sitting up in bed.

Luke's stepfather Derek Wall, 53, told The Argus how he drove Luke's mum June to the scene of the attack minutes after it happened.

Speaking at his home last night in Storrington Court, Crawley, Mr Wall said: "We got a call saying Luke had been stabbed and when we got there he was already in an ambulance.

"We were terrified, both of us were shaking. He was just lucky that the helicopter was nearby, otherwise he might not have made it."

Mr Wall, a police community support officer based in East Grinstead, said the family now wanted to see justice done.

He added: "Luke didn't stand a chance, he was stabbed while his back was turned. I was told the paramedics nearly lost him three times because he had lost so much blood.

"We have been back and forth to the hospital and there was even a chance he could be brain damaged, but he is up and awake now so we are just taking it day by day.

"We just want to say thank you to everyone who has sent their support."

Luke, who left school last year, is studying bricklaying at Brinsbury College, near Pulborough.

His family said he was also talented with bicycles and was applying for a part time job at Halfords.

In a startling twist, the popular teenager even predicted the brutal attack on his own web page.

He logged in to networking website Bebo just hours before he was knifed outside a friend's house in Fitchet Close, Ifield.

He posted a chilling message on his page which read: "Enemies stab you in the front. Friends stab you in the back. Girlfriends stab you in the heart. But me, one of ur boiz, carries a knife. To stab them right back."

Meanwhile friends have left a string of messages of support on Luke's Bebo website.

One pal, Katie, said: "Thinking of you every minute of the day. I got faith in you Luke. Don't let me down. Missing you."

Another message, from a user called Lucy, reads: "Luke please pull through for us, we can't lose you now you've gone too far to give up."

Despite an extensive search, police have still not recovered the black-handled kitchen knife which is believed to be the weapon used in the attack.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 6070999 quoting Operation Kinsale or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

*A 14 year old boy charged with wounding with intent to cause grevious bodily harm appeared before Crawley Magistrates Court yesterday and was granted bail.

The Crown Prosecution Service immediately appealed the decision and the boy was subsequently remanded in the care of social services until the appeal hearing.

The appeal will be heard at Lewes Crown Court within 48 hours.

* Do you know Luke? Call our news team on 01273 544543 or leave your messages of support below.