08 August 2023 , 07:18
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A grocery store manager almost threw away his $1million winning ticket - just moments before a lottery retailer told him he was a millionaire.
Jonathan S, from Tennessee, US, had purchased a Millionaire Jumbo Bucks instant ticket at Midfield Market when he was about to chuck away his ticket after believing he wasn't a winner.
However, he decided to double-check the ticket and visited a lottery retailer to get it rubber-stumped when he was informed of the amazing news.
Jonathan, who was the only person in the store, started to well-up after turning into a millionaire overnight. He told Lottery President and CEO Rebecca Paul: “I was the only customer in the store, and there were tears in my eyes."
On Friday, a player won $2million during the Mega Millions draw after just falling short of the jackpot, which is now worth a remarkable $1.55billion.
Woman was 'adamant' she would win top lottery prize - then pockets $200,000
The jackpot remains at a staggering $1.55 billion (Getty Images)According to the lottery, more than $30.6million was won in prizes last week including Eric P, a forecast analyst in Nashville, who won a staggering $920,000 playing the Tennessee Cash drawing-style game.
The ticket was purchased at Draks Oil, 731 Harding Place in Nashville. Eric also won $10,000 playing the Mega Millions lottery game after buying a ticket at Mapco Express.
It comes after a lorry driver scooped $1million on the Cashword scratchcard in Massachusetts - just days after telling his boss he was going to retire.
Paul Bashaw was left stunned after purchasing the winning ticket on July 20 and just days later he finished his notice period without saying a word to his colleagues.
He bought the winning ticket after informing his employer of over 20 years of his plans to retire at the end of the following week. The lorry driver went on to claim his winnings at the Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester on 28 July – his very last day at work.
The former lorry driver, who turns 66 later this year, said he has seen three of his dreams come true in the last five years. Speaking to the Massachusetts Lottery, he said: "I told my wife there were three things in life I never thought I'd see happen - the Patriots winning the Super Bowl, getting a hole in one - that happened five years ago - and hitting the lottery. And now I've hit all three!"
The lucky winner said he plans to use some of his prize money to go travelling. Paul bought his ticket at the J & J Variety store in West Boylston, which will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning scratch card.
Last month, a woman from Washtenaw County, Michigan State, won the lottery on her husband’s birthday. Kristin Murawski, 46, said: “My husband looked at the ticket and his jaw dropped.”
She matched all five numbers on the Fantasy 5 draw on July 21, winning $288,903 The lucky lady told Michigan Lottery: “Winning this jackpot is life-changing and makes our lives easier. It means an earlier retirement for my husband and less worry about how we'll make ends meet once we’re both retired.”