Hades Funeral Service, the company transporting the body in Stalowa Wola, southeastern Poland, blamed the incident on "an unexpected technical failure" of the vehicle's lock.

They apologised to "all those who were disappointed and upset by this event".

"It is with deep regret that we inform you that as a result of an unexpected technical failure of the electric tailgate lock in the hearse, during the transport of the body of the deceased, an unfortunate event occurred which does not reflect the high standards of our company," the company wrote in a statement posted on its website.

"Our deep empathy towards the families of the deceased, and the respect we always show to the deceased."

Polish media reported that a man driving down a street on Friday in the city was left fearing he had hit someone after he saw a body in the road and a sheet on his car window.

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An image of the corpse lying on a white-striped pedestrian crossing, where it fell, was published by local media.