Mobile phone saves Taiwanese man's life from bullet

HSINCHU CITY, Taiwan - A mobile phone saved a 38-year-old man's life when it blocked a close range gunshot fired at his chest.

According to a Apple Daily Taiwan report, an argument between two men in an eatery turned violent on July 27.

A man surnamed Han retrieved a sickle for the fight while the other, surnamed Hsu, took out a modified handgun and fired a bullet at Han's chest.

Han reflexively shielded his chest with his left arm. The bullet passed through his arm and would have killed him if not for the mobile phone in his breast pocket. The shooter immediately fled the scene.

Shanghaiist reported that Han later sought medical help and survived that ordeal with only a clean gun wound on his left arm.

The assailant turned himself in shortly after and is currently facing charges for attempted murder.

minlee@sph.com.sg