Police in Hunan province have confirmed that the woman seen in a viral video being hit by two cars while attempting to cross a road was killed.

The incident occurred in Zhumadian on April 21, but the footage only began to circulate on Chinese social media this week.

The video has drawn wide attention for the fact witnesses to the initial hit-and-run failed to help the woman, who laid unconscious in the middle of the road for 62 seconds before being run over for a second time by a different vehicle.

More than 10 vehicles and about 20 pedestrians passed by without offering assistance.

Zhumadian traffic police said the drivers of both vehicles were detained.

The video has sparked discussions online about the apparent apathy of the witnesses.

"The least I would do is stand by the woman to prevent other cars from hitting her," wrote one netizen. "I would dial 120 for an ambulance and 110 to report a traffic accident. That is what any humane person would do."