A boy’s life was saved during a bear attack when his smartphone exploded in the creature’s face.

It is believed the bear caused the device to ignite as it bit through the boy’s back pocket.

The 15-year-old was attacked in the Altai region of Russia while tending his family’s bee hives.

Reports from Russia said the boy spotted the bear and climbed a tree to escape but the beast dragged him down before trying to eat him.

A man who witnessed the attack said: ‘I heard him scream, turned my head, and saw the bear already dragging him down from the tree, so I unleashed the dogs.

‘When the bear sank its teeth into the teenager’s buttock, his phone battery exploded in his pocket, scaring the animal off.’

Sergei Kovyazin, chief physician of Biysk Central City Hospital, said: ‘The patient arrived with multiple injuries to his head, scalp, facial bones and neck. These injuries presented the greatest challenge.’

The attack was around 12 miles from the remote village of Solton.

A party has been established to hunt down the bear.

‘We’re doing everything we can and won’t stop until we’ve shot this bear,’ said Sergey Bundin, head of the Belovodye hunting reserve.

The Altai region is home to Siberian brown bears. At least 16 fatal encounters were recorded across Russia in September, according to CNN.

It is believed severe wildfires may have driven the animals into human areas as they search for food.

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