Kelowna man was in denial after $500,000 lottery win

A Kelowna man had a tough time believing he won $500,000 playing the lottery.

After realizing the numbers on his Lotto 6/49 ticket matched those in the Extra draw, Lorne Hradecki spent 24 hours in denial, according to a media release from the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

“I thought, ‘that can’t be right,’” he said in the release. “I went through the whole day in disbelief.”

READ MORE: West Kelowna woman scores $31M lotto win

Hradecki bought the winning ticket at Your Independent Grocer on Gordon Drive in Kelowna. When he realized it was a winner the first person he told was a friend.

“I took a screenshot when I got home from work to show my friend and he thought I was messing with him. I also told my uncle — he believed me and offered some practical advice.”

He's planning to purchase a new vehicle and enjoy a vacation or two with his winnings.

Winning so much money made Hradecki feel fantastic and relieved.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.