A driver was seriously hurt but survived after his SUV slammed into the center divider on a stretch of National Highway 1 in Changhua early Thursday morning.

• The SUV suddenly lost control near the 193-kilometer mark on the northbound side around 4:30 a.m. and hit the median.
• The front of the vehicle was destroyed and the driver was trapped inside.
• Seven firefighters from the Changhua unit pulled him out; his left thigh was badly broken and he had deep cuts on his right arm and leg.
• He stayed conscious, was bandaged and strapped to a backboard at the scene, and was rushed to Changhua Show Chwan Hospital. His life is not in danger.

Outlook: Highway police are still working out what caused the driver to lose control.