The latest victim of knife violence on Scotland's streets died trying to rescue his companion from a local gang, friends said yesterday.

Jason Bird, 16, from Balornock in Glasgow, was murdered and Jason Sideserf, 17, seriously injured when they were ambushed on Thursday night.

Friends said Jason had rushed to the defence of his friend, known as Sider, as they were waylaid in Drumbottie Road near his home.

Yesterday their friends claimed the gang then turned on the younger Jason, pinned him against a parked van and stabbed him 17 times.

His friend Jamie Price, 18, said: "Jason had been in a gang when he was much younger, just like everyone around here. But he had grown out of it.

"He and Sider were out and about and they were jumped by the other gang. They tried to run away, but they went for Sider first and Jason ran back to help him.

"They turned on him and stabbed him 17 times.

"We are all still in shock, we can't believe it has happened. He was such a great guy."

The fight broke out around 8pm in a no-man's-land separating rival gangs Gringo, from Balornock, and The Peg, from Springburn.

Local residents and witnesses called out paramedics and Jason was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, but he died later from the arterial damage. The older boy survived the attack and was said to be in a "stable" condition.

Another friend, Martin Lloyd, 17, said: "Jason was a great guy. You could never meet a nicer person. There was so much more he wanted to do in life.

"He loved music and we were all looking forward to going to T in the Park this summer. He is from a big family and they will all be devastated. Life will never be the same. I am just glad that Sider pulled through."

Police and forensic officers sealed off the area and were yesterday combing the area for clues that would help them to find the attackers.

Their hunt was concentrated around the parked van where Jason is believed to have been attacked.

Friends and relatives laid flowers, Celtic and Rangers strips and poignant tributes.

One said: "Will miss you cuz. Gone but never forgotten. RIP babe." Another said: "You will always be in our hearts and never forgotten. Love you always."

His family were too distressed to talk about their son and were being comforted by relatives. Locals said the violence in the area was spiralling out of control and called for a police crackdown on violence.

One said: "There are gang fights in this area all of the time, but nothing ever seems to get done about it.

"It's always fuelled by drugs and alcohol and I don't think this will be the end of it. It works like tit for tat. Everyone is worried."

Detective Inspector Garry Sinclair, of Strathclyde Police, said they had launched a murder inquiry, and added: "This incident involved a number of youths and happened around eight o'clock last night, and I would ask anyone who may have been in the area at that time to call Baird Street CID on 0141 532 4636 with any information which may help this inquiry."