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.


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Dan Walton

Before joining the ranks of InfoTel, Dan’s byline could be found in newspapers in Penticton, Peachland and Oliver. Prior to his arrival in the South Okanagan, he first sharpened his chops as a reporter at a radio station in Brighton, Ontario, and then newspapers in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, and Invermere B.C.
From quilting competitions to crimes against humanity, Dan isn’t afraid to cover any topic. Always seeking out the best angles - whether it’s through the lens of his camera or the voices of his Interviews – he delves into the conflict and seeks out the humanity in every story worth telling.
Dan is always happy to hear from readers. To get in touch for any reason he can be contacted at (250) 488-3065 or dwalton@infonews.ca.

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