Man's 'incredible' lottery windfall after bushfire tragedy

A man who’s been surrounded by tragedy during the NSW bushfires has celebrated a $2.5 million Lotto win.

Bateman’s Bay was ravaged by bushfires with an intense blaze forcing residents to flee the area on the NSW South Coast on New Year’s Eve.

However, one resident is ecstatic after claiming Saturday Lotto’s division one prize. He was one of eight to take home $2.5m and called the win “incredible”.

“At the beginning of the year, the bushfires tore through the region,” he said.

“We didn’t personally lose our home but homes around us were destroyed and we were evacuated to the beach. The town was black and red. It was frightening.

“This couldn’t have come at a better time.”

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The retiree added he plans on spending the winnings to take his wife on a holiday.

They had recently spoken about going to Europe however he initially kept the win from his wife.

“And my wife will also be able to stop working,” he said.

“I’m going to tell her that we’re going out for dinner tonight and I’ll break the news to her then.”

Another winning entry belonged to a WA resident.

The entry, purchased at High Wycombe News and Lotteries, is the second division one winning ticket purchased from the store in less than a month.

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