An investigation has been launched after a Parcelforce driver 'followed a sat nav' onto a canal footpath before getting stuck on a verge.
The courier van was abandoned on the towpath in Middleton, beside the Rochdale Canal over the weekend, close to the Th'iron Donger Bridge.
Pictures after the vehicle was stumbled across by a local walking group showed the red van angled on the grass verge over the water. A crane was later drafted in to hoist the van out from a nearby field.
Royal Mail said the driver was 'directed onto an unsuitable route' while following a sat nav in the Chadderton Park area before coming stuck.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving a Parcelforce Worldwide delivery vehicle where one of our drivers was directed onto an unsuitable route while following satellite navigation guidance in the Chadderton Park area, becoming stuck.
"We will be investigating the incident to understand how this occurred and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the delivery driver exited the vehicle but remained at the scene and that recovery services later removed it.