A truck driver in Yilan County was pulled to safety after the Lanyang River suddenly flooded around his vehicle before dawn, a close call that ended without injury.

• The driver was waiting in his rig near the Huludu Bridge in Yuanshan, ready to start dredging work, when heavy rain sent the river surging.
• Water rose so fast it swallowed most of the truck within moments.
• Rescuers could not reach the vehicle at first because the current was too strong, so they crossed the river and strung a rope line to get him out.
• He walked away unhurt and turned down a trip to the hospital.

Outlook: Heavy rain keeps river work in the area risky, and crews are likely to hold off until water levels drop.