Apple's iPhone 5c helps man survive shotgun blast to the chest

A 25-year-old British man who was shot in the chest with a shotgun during a confrontation outside of his home survived the event, thanks in part to his green iPhone 5c, which absorbed much of the impact.

The victim was seriously injured by the blast, but was able to return home to call emergency services thanks to the iPhone, according to ITV News. The man's attacker was subsequently found guilty of attempted murder.

"[The attacker's] actions that night were extreme and shocking - the victim went outside to speak to the group about the fact they had turned off the water supply resulting in the defendant shooting him with a powerful weapon," Cheshire Police Detective Inspector Gary McIntyre said in a statement.

"Fortunately, the victim's mobile phone took the brunt of the shot and, as a result of this, he survived. This is remarkable - had that phone not been in his pocket at that time he would undoubtedly have died."

An image of the phone shows its polycarbonate shell severely deformed but ultimately un-punctured.