A man is being treated in a neurological unit after being stabbed in the head.
At first police feared the 21-year-old victim would die but last night he was described as "serious but stable" after surgery.
He was attacked in St Catherine's Road, Littlehampton, at midnight on Saturday.
Detectives believe several people saw the incident, near the junction with South Terrace.
The victim, who has not been named, also received knife wounds to his face and body and was taken to Worthing Hospital under police guard.
He was later transferred to the Hurstwood Park head injuries unit in Haywards Heath.
Detective Sergeant Gary Tutt said: "His injuries were considered life threatening at one stage.
"This was a very nasty incident but we do not know the full facts and want to hear from anyone who saw this."
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