Worker told to go home after winning $17 million jackpot
A motorway worker in New Zealand has been told to go home after showing up to work the day after he found out he had won a$NZ19.1 million ($17 million) Powerball jackpot.
"I play Lotto religiously, but it wasn't me," one of the workers on the project told current affairs TV program Seven Sharp.
“We were fortunate to have one of our people on the project, and whammo, he won the winning ticket.
"He turned up for the work, and I think the rest of the team said, 'Mate, you probably need to go home,' " the co-worker said.
The winner shared the prize with a family syndicate.
He described the moment when he checked the ticket while getting groceries at his local supermarket on Monday night.
"I handed over my ticket to the lady behind the counter and the words 'Congratulations, you are a first division winner' flashed up on the screen.
"I asked the lady, 'What does this mean?' But the expression on her face gave it away - her eyes were wide and she had a massive grin on her face," he said.
"I'm the type of guy who likes to contain my emotions, so she probably thought I wasn't even excited.
"If only she knew how I was feeling inside; I was bursting with happiness."
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