A TEENAGER critically hurt after a horrific car crash is continuing his recovery as dozens of friends sent messages for him to "keep fighting".

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Simpson, of Montgomery Road, Caversfield, is in a critical condition at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after being involved in a crash on the A422 Westbury Road on Sunday which killed four of his friends.

His father Mark Simpson, 47, said yesterday: "He is doing very well today. He is responding well and is going to theatre today for some of his broken bones.

"Yesterday the doctors were just talking about keeping him alive. He has come a long way.

"It is still life threatening but we remain very optimistic and are overjoyed. He is strong and the ideal age to fight it."

A tribute group, called RIP Boys, has been set up on social networking website Facebook in memory of James Bowyer, of Marsh Gibbon, Lee Grimshaw, of Brackley, Edward Manders-Naden, from Calvert Green, and Kirk Nokes, from Buckingham, all 18, who died in the crash, and to send messages of support to Matthew and his family.

Last night more than 1,000 people had joined and over 200 comments left - many of them calling on the teenager to keep fighting.

Messages included: Kate Phillips - "Keep strong Matty. We are thinking about you."

Katie Scott - "You can fight this."

Catherine Plummer - "Matt, stay strong babe and pull through, everyone's praying."

Hayley Ince - "Matt, you're a strong little fighter. I know you'll pull through."

Cayla Davies - "Come on Matt...We're all praying for you."

His sister, Hayley, a 19-year-old university student, and cousin Katrina Horvath were among those leaving messages on the website.

Mr Simpson said: "We appreciate the messages and thank people for their thoughts. We are directing what is happening with Matthew via the rugby club to make sure people know what is going on.

"He will not want people feeling sorry for him.

"Perhaps every time people think about pushing the button on Facebook they might like to donate a few pence towards the Thames Valley Air Ambulance which took Matthew to hospital."

A memorial service to the young people who died in the crash is due to be held at Well Street United Church, Buckingham, today, starting at 6pm.

South Central Ambulance has launched an investigation into a six-minute delay between the first 999 call about the crash and dispatching an ambulance. There was also a 24-minute delay alerting police. Yesterday Thames Valley Police refused to comment whether it was discussing the problem with the ambulance service because the circumstances surrounding the crash were part of an "ongoing police investigation".