MABUHAY, Zamboanga Sibugay — An emergency response vehicle took an unexpected plunge into the ocean on Thursday, June 19, 2026 at the Hula-Hula Port in Mabuhay, drawing a crowd of shocked onlookers and sparking a rapid recovery operation.

The ambulance, which is believed to belong to Olutanga Municipal Hospital (OMH), was positioned near the shoreline preparing to board a transport barge when the unusual accident occurred.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by local port and emergency authorities, the vehicle had been temporarily parked near the edge of the pier. The driver reportedly stepped away from the ambulance but failed to properly engage the vehicle's handbrake, leaving it unattended on the sloped terrain.

Deprived of its braking mechanism, the heavy medical vehicle gradually began to roll forward. Before anyone at the busy port could intervene, the ambulance rolled over the shoreline's edge and plunged directly into the sea, becoming partially submerged in the saltwater.

The incident immediately triggered an emergency call to the Mabuhay Fire Station. A specialized rescue team led by SFO3 Michael A. Coquilla, the Acting Municipal Fire Marshal, quickly arrived at the Hula-Hula Port to assess the situation and initiate a vehicular extrication operation.

Upon arrival, rescuers first checked the partially submerged vehicle to confirm whether any staff or patients were trapped inside. Fortunately, authorities verified that the ambulance was completely empty at the exact moment it rolled off the pier. No casualties or injuries were reported among port workers or bystanders.

To pull the heavy ambulance from the water, firefighters executed a precise recovery plan by having responders swim out to attach heavy-duty recovery ropes to the vehicle's rear chassis. The opposite end of the line was secured to a powerful fire engine stationed safely onshore, allowing teams to use the truck's torque to carefully winch and pull the ambulance back up onto dry land.

While the vehicle was successfully retrieved without further incident, it is expected to have sustained extensive water and electrical damage. Local authorities continue to document the event and assess the full extent of the loss.

Following the successful extrication, municipal safety officials issued a stern reminder to all motorists—particularly operators of emergency and public service vehicles—to strictly observe proper parking protocols. Authorities emphasized the critical importance of ensuring handbrakes are fully engaged before exiting a vehicle, especially when operating near steep inclines, docks, or open coastal waters.