An ambulance service has apologised after an 'inappropriate' TikTok video showing paramedics dancing with a dummy on a stretcher went viral.
North West Ambulance Service has confirmed the matter will be dealt with "internally" after staff members posted the now deleted clip, seemingly recreating a popular funeral meme.
However some Twitter users have defended the workers arguing they were "just blowing off steam" and their "mistake" does not need severe punishment.
The video is similar to one which has been shared across social media in recent weeks showing a group of men dancing with a coffin.
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In this incarnation, a paramedic in an ambulance shouts to a man at the back to "take a seat" while he puts a mask on.
The man is then seen coughing, before the paramedics turn to him looking concerned.
Staff are then filmed standing in a line with sunglasses on before they dance with a dummy on a stretcher to electronic music.
They then high five each other and carry the dummy out of shot.
The video was captioned: "Caution. Morale boost imminent #COVID19 #coffindance #nhs", according to the Liverpool Echo.
It had been watched almost 40,000 times before it was removed from TikTok.
NWAS posted a statement on Twitter, admitting the video was "highly inappropriate" and the matter would be dealt with "internally".
The statement confirmed the video was not made in Greater Manchester, but did not say where it was filmed.
The full statement read: "We are aware of a TikTok video circulating on social media posted by a small group of our staff which shows them acting in an unprofessional manner.
"Although we appreciate that those involved did not mean to cause offence, this video is highly inappropriate and a clear breach of our social media policy.
"We apologise for any distress this has caused and we can assure you that we are taking this seriously and dealing with the matter internally."
Commenting on the NWAS tweet, one user said: "They were blowing off steam.
"Pressure of the job has to have an outlet. They made a mistake granted, but unprofessional no - they carried that stretcher pretty well.
"This is not worthy of severe punishment."
And another wrote: "Can we put a stop to anything that involves dancing or not health related advice or messages about the good work you guys do.
"Unfortunately the younger generation are growing up likes it's ok to disrespect your staff-- same for Police and fire."
And a third added it was "ill thought out" but the people in the video would "suffer a lot from it going viral".
