The metal part of a bra saved a female tourist from suffering greater injury when she was hit by a stray piece of ammunition during a hunt in northern Germany, police reported Friday.

The 41-year-old woman from North Rhine-Westphalia was cycling through a rape field in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with a male companion when she suddenly felt pain.

“According to our enquiries so far, she was hit by an object in the breast area,” a police spokesman in the port of Wismar said.

A wild boar hunt was taking place in the area at the time of the accident.

The woman from the city of Guetersloh suffered only bruising. A piece of ammunition was found on the bra’s metal wire.

Police were questioning one of the hunters on suspicion of bodily injury caused by negligence.

A local newspaper reported the incident on Friday, saying that it took place on Sunday.

The hunt was stopped and the hunter's rifle was seized. It is possible that a piece of shot ricocheted during the hunt.

A dead young boar was also found during the investigation after the incident. (dpa/NAN)

•Photo shows bulletproof bra.