Heartbreaking moment doctor sinks to his knees crying after losing a teenage patient

California, USA: A heart-breaking image of a doctor overcome with emotion following the death of a teenage patient has emerged online.

The raw and startling picture was posted on reddit by a paramedic who works with the unnamed doctor in California.

It lays bare the emotional aftermath of a life cut short that many doctors face on a daily basis.

"The man pictured was unable to save one of his patients," the poster said.

"Though this is a common occurrence in our field of work, the patients we lose are typically old, sick, or some combination of the two.

"The patient that died was 19 years old, and for him, it was one of those calls we get sometimes that just hits you.

"Within a few minutes, the doctor stepped back inside, holding his head high again."

The images, posted on Reddit, attracted many comments from people about their own positive experiences with the emotional burden that those tasked with saving lives carry.

One spoke about his father-in-law who keeled over at an aquarium.

He said: "There just happened to be two EMT's there who practically caught him, and a hospital with a great heart center six blocks away.

"He still died, and the doctors just could not believe it. They were stunned and confused and felt awful.

"Their emotions were a comfort to my wife and her family.

"It freed them from expectation that they would ever understand.”

Another spoke of their doctor father’s pain at losing a patient.

They said: "The times that I remember, however rare they were, were the times he would come home, and cry in my mothers arms because there was someone that he couldn't save no matter how hard he tried…

"He didn't think any of us kids were watching, but I seemed to always see.

"I've never had more respect for my dad then when I would see him cry because he felt like he could have done more."