Kelowna man ‘in disbelief’ following $500K lottery win

A Kelowna man was in disbelief and denial for a full day after finding out he had a lottery ticket worth $500,000.

Lorne Hradecki checked his Lotto 6/49 ticket for the August 31 Extra draw on the BCLC Lotto app but told the B.C. Lottery Corporation that the reality of the win didn’t set in right away.

“I thought, ‘that can’t be right,’” Hradecki told BCLC.

“I went through the whole day in disbelief.”

After checking the app, Hradecki verified the win at the self-checker at Your Independent Grocer on Gordon Drive, where he had purchased the ticket.

He then shared the news with a friend.

“I took a screenshot when I got home from work to show my friend and he thought I was messing with him,” said Hradecki.

“I also told my uncle, he believed me and offered some practical advice.”

Hradecki plans to purchase a new car with the winnings and may plan a vacation or two, saying he plans to “make the most” of his winnings.