Video of bedside attack stuns Hong Kong as protests continue

Still frame of Hong Kong police assaulting a man on hospital trolley. Photo / Supplied

Two Hong Kong police officers were arrested after a video emerged of them beating a man on a hospital trolley, heaping further pressure on a force already facing accusations of brutality after tear gas attacks on protesters.

The footage, recorded in late June and seen on the South China Morning Post site, shows two uniformed officers assaulting the man with batons and holding a cloth over his mouth.

There are no other people in the room as the officers take turns to abuse the patient over several minutes.

Police said the man was under arrest at the time.

"It is clear that the actions committed by the police officers concerned are unlawful," said police spokesman John Tse, adding that police viewed the video for the first time on Tuesday.

Protesters march on a street in Hong Kong. Photo / AP

"So far, two involved officers were arrested for assault occasioning actual bodily harm." He vowed a full, independent probe, insisting "police officers are never allowed to use abusive force for their own sake".

The incident is likely to further fuel anger towards the stretched police force. Pro-democracy protesters who have staged weeks of rallies throughout the city have called for an independent inquiry into the police response, which has included frequent use of tear gas and rubber bullets.

A protester in rain coat wears a sign which reads "Protect Hong Kong" during a march in heavy rain this week. Photo / AP

The force has become the loathed face of the Hong Kong government, and small groups of hardcore protesters have frequently clashed with frontline officers.

A protester prepares to throw back a tear gas canister fired near the Tsim Sha Tsui police station in Hong Kong. Photo / AP