A three-vehicle chain collision on the northbound stretch of National Freeway 1 near Sanyi in Miaoli County has left four people hurt, three of them critically — a serious crash for everyone involved.

• The impact was violent enough that one person was thrown from a vehicle and pinned underneath it.
• Two more people were trapped in a back seat, and rescuers pulled out four injured in total.
• Three arrived at hospital with no pulse and are fighting for their lives at two Miaoli hospitals.
• A van and two cars were involved; the wreck blocked three lanes and backed up traffic until midday.

Outlook: Highway police are investigating what caused the crash and who is responsible.