Hard-hearted carjackers who stole a hearse on its way to deliver a body dumped the coffin at the roadside before fleeing.

An undertaker who had prepared the body told how the armed gang stopped the vehicle and ordered the driver to get out.

CCTV of the sick heist shows the vehicle – a pickup truck – being held at gunpoint before the carjackers climb in and speed off on 21st December.

As the vehicle turns a corner, what appears to be the casket can be seen on the back.

A second video shows the dumped coffin on a dirt road in Cruz, Ceara, Brazil, with funeral items scattered around.

The undertaker, who wished to remain anonymous, told local media that the hearse was en route to Baixio when it was intercepted.

Inside the car were armed thugs who had apparently come from the tourist area of Jijoca de Jericoacoara.

Military Police were later called to the scene and the body of the deceased was retrieved.

According to the Department of Public Security and Social Defence, Municipal Police in Jijoca de Jericoacoara are investigating the case.

Officers are currently searching the area to try to locate the vehicle and the suspects.

They have called on the public for information.