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iPhone stops a bullet, saves the life of a Rotterdam contractor

by Victor Agreda, Jr. Feb 21st 2012 at 3:00PM

Image: Shutterstock

According to De Telegraaf, a 49 year-old Rotterdam contractor was shot at and an iPhone in his pocket may have helped stop the bullet from hitting his heart. According to my limited Dutch language skills and Google's translation, "The bullet went straight through my phone back and then only in my chest. My cell phone worked as a brake job and probably was adjusted so that no serious damage was done." In the picture shown attached to the story, it appears the bullet had to travel through the glass of his van as well, which certainly also helped slow the velocity of the bullet before it hit the iPhone.

Back in 2007 we wrote up a story about a soldier in Iraq who had a bullet hit his iPod, saving his life. Oh, his body armor helped as well. Remember, it's important to slow the velocity of a bullet down when protecting the body, so anything between you and a high velocity slug of lead is a good thing. And although body armor is pricey, it's still cheaper per square inch than covering yourself in iPhones.

Thanks to Ronald Detiger for sending this in!



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8 Comments

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KAZ

Yeah, the iphone did nothing. It's made of two pieces of glass and one piece of circuit board. Oh, but I forget, there's magic in there too.

February 22 2012 at 4:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mistermark

So the article actualy says that the iPhone (which was held in the man's breast pocket) caught the first bullet slowing it down, and probably altered its trajectory avoiding any major damage, thus leaving him with minor injuries. The guy has now given his iPhone an honorary place in his home.

To me that is just a bit weird, who wants to be remembered of the time someone tried to kill you.

February 22 2012 at 7:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Mistermark's comment
xxp84

nah, i'd be glad to remember the time someone TRIED to kill me but I survived unscathed. It would make me feel tough.

February 22 2012 at 8:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dacloo

you did a pretty good job translating that (I'm Dutch). The more interesting question however should be why he did catch that bullet in the first place.

February 22 2012 at 7:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Dacloo's comment
xxp84

you know contractors... he probably wasn't making enough progress on the job or kept raising the price.

February 22 2012 at 9:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob Swinkels

iPhone saves life

ROTTERDAM - A 49-year-old contractor from Rotterdam is still alive thanks to the mobile device in his pocket. Over a month ago the man was targeted at the Spangesekade, and if the iPhone had not caught the first bullet, the deadly projectile would have ended up in the man's heart.
That is what the police investigation that was started after the assault says. "I had not one but six guardian angels", the victim sighs. Out of fear for his assailants he doesn't want to be named in the paper. "The bullet went straight through my phone first, and then it penetrated my chest. My mobile acted as a brake and probably altered the path such that no serious damage was done."
After the first bullet four other rounds were fired but due to the front windscreen splintering the shooter had a hard time aiming. "They wanted to get it over with in one go, I suspect, but my iPhone saved me. We have given it a special place at home," the man, who was only mildly injured, says smiling.

February 22 2012 at 5:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buzz Mega

That's it! I'm covering my chest two iPhones thick.

February 21 2012 at 9:42 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Edward Roozeboom

It says:
The bullet went straight trough my phone before hitting my body. The phone worked like a brake and it probably changed the course enough, so it didn't cause serious damage

February 21 2012 at 4:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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