CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela: A rider died after his motorcycle collided with a Manila-bound bus that plunged into a 30-meter-deep ravine as a result of the collision along the national road in Barangay San Juan in this city at 10 in the evening on Thursday, police said.

NOSEDIVE This Victory Liner bus plunges into a 30-meter-deep ravine in Barangay San Juan, City of Ilagan, Isabela after figuring in a head-on collision with a motorcycle along the national road on Thursday evening, March 7, 2024. The motorcycle rider died while the 18 passengers of the bus were wounded. PHOTO BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA

Police operatives identified the rider as Roland Basog of Santa Catalina village whose motorcycle collided head-on with a Victory Liner bus driven by Looney Andoy of Tuguegarao City, according to Cpt. Louie Jay Felipe, Ilagan City deputy police chief.

Sixteen of the 18 bus passengers either went home or took another bus while two of them have been confined at a hospital.

The bus allegedly overtook another vehicle but did not notice the oncoming motorcycle. The bus collided with the motorcycle as the bus driver apparently lost control of his vehicle which fell into the ravine.

The bus driver, who was believed to have changed clothes to avoid being identified, fled after the collision.

Police have been preparing charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries and damage to property against Andoy.