A TEENAGE boy who is lucky to be alive after being stabbed while trying to protect his friend from knife thugs has returned home to continue his recovery.

Brave Lucas Perry, 16, was left in hospital after the shocking attack near Knightswick Road on Canvey.

He had tried to stop someone from stabbing his friend as the assailant attempted to steal his bike, but had the blade turned on him.

The knife penetrated his stomach and liver.

Jodie Perry, Lucas’s sister, told how he is now recovering at home.

She said: “Lucas was in hospital from the Friday evening but was discharged from there on Wednesday last week.

“He had several staples put into him to help with healing the wounds, and he was due to have them all out on Monday, but he’ll have to go back to A&E to have them all removed in the near future.

“He’s been ok so far.

“He’s always been an anxious boy, but he’s happy at home, but I think it might be a long time before he’s got the courage to go out and about again like he did before the attack happened.

“The police investigation is still going on, we’ve not really heard much to be honest.

“Lucas may have to go in and identify a person from a police line-up.”

The incident happened at about 4.50pm on Friday, July 19.

It was reported a group of teenagers approached Lucas and his friends and demanded a bike be given to them, with the incident resulting in one of the boys saying “no” to them.

After Lucas was stabbed he fled the scene, only realising how serious the stab wound was after he’d fled.

He was helped by members of the public and taken to hospital by air ambulance.

A 17-year-old boy, from Tilbury, and a 14-year-old boy, from Basildon, have been arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident.

They have been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

Meanwhile, Essex Police are still appealing for witnesses of the incident to come forward immediately.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting crime reference 42/115015/19.

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or visit their website crimestoppers-uk.org.