A man in Australia survived a bow and arrow attack after he attempted to photograph the assailant with a phone, which blocked the arrow.

Police said the 43-year-old man had driven to his home in Nimbin, a town in New South Wales, and discovered a man on his property who was armed with a bow and arrow.

The attacker then fired an arrow but it hit the resident’s smartphone and pierced it. The phone smashed into the resident’s chin and caused a small cut but did not require medical treatment.

Police later arrived and arrested the attacker, who was aged 39. The resident apparently knew the attacker.

The man was charged with intent to commit an indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious damage. He was released on conditional bail and will face court on April 15.