I’m very lucky to be alive after being struck full force by double decker bus in Belfast city centre, says Lotto winner
A LOTTO winner has told how he’s very lucky to be alive after being struck “full force” by a double decker bus last week.
Peter Lavery, who scooped a £10.2m jackpot in 1996, was crossing the road at Donegall Square West in Belfast city centre when the crash happened last Monday at 9am.
The former bus driver was rushed to hospital along with another person – with the area sealed off for a technical examination.
And speaking from his home in Down, the multi-millionaire said he suffered a head injury but is recovering well.
Peter, who was heading to the Europa Hotel for a business meeting, told the Sunday World: “I know I was very lucky, but it’s not the first time I have been lucky.
“I am alright. I lost a bit of blood in the accident and obviously I was in shock, but apart from feeling a bit sore, I am getting better. I know I was very lucky.
“I got 16 stitches in the back of my head and I am getting them out on Monday. I hope to get back to work when that’s done.”
Peter also recalled the terrifying moment he was struck by the bus – saying he was nearly on the other side of the road.
He added: “The bus hit me full force. I was three-quarters the way across the road and when I saw it coming, I just knew, flip it’s hitting me, I just knew.”
Peter’s winning Lotto ticket bagged him £10.2million (€11.8m) at just 34 years old.
After spending some time in St Lucia in the Caribbean before returning home, Peter set out on a mission to give back.
He brought 20 kids with their parents affected by the Troubles to Disney World Florida.
He set up The Rita Charles Trust in memory of his parents who passed away when he was in his mid-40s.
Peter appeared in a BBC show recently documenting his efforts to reintroduce whiskey distilling in Belfast.
He opened on the “reality” of his win and how his new lifestyle nearly killed him.
A cocktail of drinking and partying took a toll on his health.
He said: “Doctors’ orders, I had to stop drinking or I wouldn’t be here today.”
Peter told how he was the lucky one out of 33 million players.
He said: “The night I won my fortune there were 33 million people playing the lottery and I had the right six numbers, which is unbelievable.
“It has certainly changed my life and changed the lives of a lot of other people too.”