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MONEY TO BURN

I won £805k lottery jackpot after I ran out of petrol and had to coast to the nearest shop

A MAN who nearly ran out of petrol and coasted to the nearest shop to refuel has walked out £805,000 richer.

Michael Schlemmer scooped the massive lottery win while driving through Kentucky, US.

Michael Schlemmer with his lottery winnings
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Michael Schlemmer with his lottery winningsCredit: Kentucky Lottery

After paying for the much-needed fuel, he decided to take a chance on the lotto and bought a Luck Kentucky scratchie.

Michael said: "I ran out of gas and I coasted in there.

"I had 40 bucks on me and bought $20 (£16.12) worth of gas and bought a ticket."

As he chipped away at the card, a symbol began to appear that showed he had just won an eye-watering $1million (£805,000).

Michael said: "I scratched it off and I looked at it and went back in the store.

"I showed the girls that sold it to me and they about had a fit.

"The owners of the store were there and they both started grinning."

The US man claimed he was in disbelief until he was given the lump sum payment.

Michael said: "Nothing went through my mind.

"Until I get the check in my hand, I don’t believe it."

Kentucky Lottery confirmed the win and he was handed a cheque of roughly $616,330 (£496,000) after tax.

Michael said he planned to buy a new motor but would save the rest of his jackpot.

Another lucky man won £43million in the lottery thanks to his girlfriend's craving for something sweet.

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