An early-morning crash on Taiwan's National Freeway 1 left an SUV destroyed and its driver badly hurt, though the injuries are not life-threatening.

• The SUV lost control and slammed into the center median on the northbound stretch through Changhua City before dawn.
• The front of the vehicle was crushed and the male driver was trapped inside.
• Seven firefighters from the Changhua unit cut him out; his left thigh was badly broken and he had deep cuts to his right arm and leg.
• He stayed conscious throughout and was rushed to a Changhua hospital after being bandaged and stabilized.

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