Early morning drivers along a major eastern corridor in Tameside faced an alarming sight when a commercial vehicle suddenly appeared facing oncoming traffic at dawn.

The alarming spectacle unfolded along the carriageway near Hattersley, where a bright yellow Bee Network bus was spotted travelling in the wrong direction before sunrise.

Transit supervisors quickly intervened, safely guiding the wayward double-decker off the active lanes before morning commuters suffered injuries.

Regional authority Transport for Greater Manchester confirmed that the vehicle was entirely devoid of passengers during the frightening maneuver.

Officials were quick to clarify that the coach had not been hijacked or stolen, effectively ruling out criminal vehicle theft as the underlying cause.

Instead, local transit leadership alongside fleet operator Metroline initiated an immediate review to determine how such a critical navigation error occurred.

The bizarre M67 motorway incident sparked widespread concern across suburban communities that depend daily on the newly unified transit network.

Safety protocols are now facing intense scrutiny as investigators work to understand whether mechanical failure, severe driver disorientation, or roadway signage confusion caused the lapse.

The high-profile mishap marks an unwelcome challenge for transport planners working diligently to build public confidence in regional bus reforms.

Responding units from Greater Manchester Police rushed to the junction following frantic emergency calls, though the massive yellow coach had already cleared the tarmac.

Constables confirmed that active inquiries remain underway alongside public transit executives to piece together the full operational timeline.

A failure of basic road navigation on a high-speed motorway carries immense danger, leaving everyday drivers shaken by the close call.

Regional transit leaders have promised decisive corrective measures once internal inquiries pinpoint the operational breakdowns that enabled the blunder.

Commuters navigating the Hattersley junction are left profoundly grateful that disaster was averted on an otherwise ordinary Friday dawn.