Distressing footage has emerged of the moment a postman appears to leave an elderly woman lying on the frozen ground after she had fallen outside of her home.

Captured on the neighbour's doorbell camera, the interaction shows 72-year-old grandmother of two Patricia Stewart and the Royal Mail employee as he was delivering a package in Bainsford, Scotland, on Thursday.

Stewart was lying on the path in the snow when the postman arrived.

In the footage, shared by her niece Sheryl Harkins, Steward can he heard asking the postman for help, before he says: “I can’t help pal, I’m knackered”, and walks away.

Thankfully, the grandmother did not face any serious injuries.

Harkins says another delivery worker arrived a short time later and called the neighbours for help.

“Thank goodness for that girl because this could have been a very different situation if she hadn’t turned up when she did,” she wrote.

“I honestly don’t have the words for how disgusting this is, for a human being to treat another human being in this manner.

“Words fail me.”

A Royal Mail area manager has since apologised to Stewart for the incident.

“Royal Mail expects the highest standards of behaviour from our people while out on deliveries and collections at all times,” a spokesperson told local media.

“We regularly remind our postmen and postwomen of the important role they play in their local communities.

“We were very sorry to learn about this incident, and for the distress this incident has caused.

“We are in touch with the customer concerned and will be investigating this incident.”