Mining workers win $53 million jackpot after “spur of the moment” purchase
It’s said lightning doesn’t strike twice but apparently the lottery does, after a group of miners from Kalgoorlie-Boulder won a share of the $160 million ($NZD 176 millioin) Powerball jackpot - the second time a winning ticket has come from the West Australian mining town.
The group of 20 workers had formed a lottery syndicate, chipping in $100 ($NZD 110) each and walking away with a slice of $53 million ($NZD 58 million) in division one winnings on Thursday.
With each worker pocketing about $2.65 million ($NZD 2.92 million), the win has come as a shock to them and their boss, who quipped that he would “run after them” and steal their ticket if they didn’t come back to work.
Peter, one of the lucky winners, told 6PR Radio that the win was “still sinking in”.
“I only thought we’d won the second division,” he said.
“This was a one-off because it was a big draw … it was a spur of the moment thing.
“I couldn’t believe it, I checked the ticket about 10 times.”
He went on to tell 9News that it had been “life changing” for all of them and that nobody believed he had won since he’s “a bit of a joker”.
Chris Wood, the miners’ boss, said he was still in disbelief at the news too.
“They’re great workers; it is my best shift,” Mr Wood told the ABC.
“I’m ecstatic. I’m very happy for each of them. I expect I might lose them, though.”
Despite his concerns, one of the miners has already confirmed she would be sticking around after the win.
“‘You know how they say, one Powerball and I’m out of here? Well, it ain’t true,” she said in a video shared on Facebook.
“I’ve known since the start of my shift and I’m still loading trucks.”
“So yeah, there’s 18 at my work who are now millionaires.”
The group, colloquially referring to themselves as the “We Outta Here” Syndicate, pinned their winning tickets on the workplace pinboard, having purchased the winning ticket from a newsagency in Boulder, 600km east of Perth.
They aren’t the first to rake in a massive lotto win in the town either, after 250 Kalgoorlie residents pooled their tickets to claim the $63 million ($NZD 69 million) jackpot in February.
As for the remainder of the $160 million Powerball jackpot, it was split between two winners - a NSW dad and a man from Clyde, Victoria, who cried “tears of joy” upon hearing the news.
“Oh my god, oh my god. I can’t believe this!” he cried.
“Holy s**t! Far out! I’m absolutely speechless.
“I never thought I’d get this phone call. This has changed my life!”
The winning numbers for Thursday’s Powerball draw were 10, 4, 12, 18, 2, 34, and 7, with 7 being the Powerball number.
Images: Getty Images / 7News