STAFF at a Chinese restaurant sparked outrage today by handing a sick customer the bill as he was being loaded into an ambulance.

Onlookers called paramedics when the man, aged in his 30s, fell to the ground suffering an apparent seizure while enjoying dumplings with his friend at Shifu Dumpling Express in St Kilda , Melbourne.

As the man was being loaded into the ambulance and his companion was climbing in to join him, a waiter came and handed the friend the bill. The man was later reported to be in stable condition at a hospital.

The story generated vigorous debate online when published by the Herald Sun - with many calling it an insensitive money-grab.

Manager Kevin Tian was remorseless about the incident, saying, "My opinion is that they ate in our restaurant, they have to pay."

Among disgusted readers were Bella, who branded the move "just so inappropriate" and Essendonly of Melbourne, who posted: "Thanks Shifu Dumpling Express for setting a new low in standards for restaurant etiquette."

However, some of those commenting seemed to support the restaurant.

"Sure it's inappropriate but so what? You consume, you pay," wrote Klouss. "The waiter would've had no other opportunity to give them the bill, so he took the chance. Fair enough."

In an online poll, 52 percent of voters said the waiter was wrong to hand over the bill, 48 percent said he was right.

Tell us your view in the comment module below

Originally published as Waiter hands ambo-bound diner the bill