A woman has told how she won a USD 100,000 fortune with a ticket she only bought because the shop was sold out of her favourite scratch cards.
Dana Pruitt, 62, – from the town of Pilot Mountain, in the US state of North Carolina – bought a Fabulous Fortune scratch-off ticket that won her USD 100,000 (GBP 87,000), the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a statement on Wednesday, 26th October.
Pruitt said: “The odd thing is the ticket I purchased was not even the one I was looking for.”
She added: “They were sold out of my first choice.”
The North Carolina Education Lottery said: “After she couldn’t buy the scratch-off she wanted, Dana Pruitt of Pilot Mountain chose a Fabulous Fortune ticket instead and won a USD 100,000 prize.”
They added: “After settling for her second choice, she scratched the ticket right outside the store and uncovered a USD 100,000 surprise.”
Pruitt said: “When I scratched it I about had a heart attack.”
She added: “It shocked me.”
The North Caroline Education Lottery said Pruitt had bought her lucky USD 30 (GBP 26) ticket from Mayberry Mart on East Pine Street in Mount Airy.
Pruitt said: “This is the best win I’ve ever had. I’m still in shock to be honest with you.”
Lottery officials said: “Pruitt collected her prize at lottery headquarters Wednesday and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home USD 71,019 (GBP 61,615).
“She said she would save most of the money for retirement but she might use some to travel to New England.
“Fabulous Fortune debuted in July with six USD 3 million prizes and 18 USD 100,000 prizes. Three USD 3 million top prizes and 11 USD 100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.”
