'Heinous' viral video shows a young man being beaten until he appears to lose consciousness on the NYC subway as the NYPD appeal to help catch the attackers

Shocking video footage of a young man being beaten while riding a New York City subway train has been released by the police.  

The victim, who was riding the MTA train can be seen being mercilessly pummeled and punched until he eventually appears to lose consciousness and is unable to defend himself.

The shaky footage captures the man becoming ever more bloody as his lip bursts open while his attackers continue relentlessly. 

The victim was repeatedly kicked in the face, head and body as he sat on a train and tried to shield himself with his hands.

The man appeared to be punched at least 20 times, before the video ends. 

The victim could be seen saying something, but there is no audio on the recording. 

The NYPD said that the images were found on social media and it was brought to their attention last week. 

'Instagram was where we noticed it first,' Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said Tuesday night to the New York Daily News.

'I thought what every New Yorker thinks,' said Shea. 'This is our city. And this should not happen.

'It's just a heinous act. Anyone that sees this video is disturbed by it,' said Shea. 

It is unclear where or when the attack took place but police have been canvassing hospitals looking for the victim.

The suspects are not pictured in the footage. Police are now asking the public for more information.

'Your help is needed to identify those responsible for the heinous attack of a young person aboard @MTA subway car @NYPDTransit,' NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea wrote on Twitter.

It appeared to have been shot on cell phone by someone who may have helped orchestrate the attack. 

Gangs often record attacks like these and share them on social media as a form of boasting, the NYPD said. They believe there is a good chance the victim won't come forward.

Police hope that someone will see the video and contact them with information.