A simple mistake turned into a multimillion-dollar windfall for a Massachusetts man who won the lottery twice in one night.
Paul Corcoran of Fitchburg unknowingly purchased two identical Powerball tickets for the same drawing, resulting in a $2 million prize.
Corcoran had bought a $2 multi-draw ticket covering seven games, thinking the final draw on it had already taken place. Later, while visiting another store, he bought another $2 ticket—also valid for the July 9 drawing.
To his shock, both tickets matched the five white ball numbers drawn: 5, 9, 25, 28, and 69. Each ticket earned him $1 million. He missed only the red Powerball number, 5, narrowly missing the $217 million jackpot.
Corcoran, who has faithfully played the same set of randomly selected numbers for years, claimed his $2 million prize at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters.
The winning tickets were sold at Market Basket in Fitchburg and Country Farms in Leominster. Both stores will receive a $10,000 bonus from the lottery commission.
According to lottery officials, these mark the first $1 million Powerball wins in both Fitchburg and Leominster.
