Fort McMurray father wins $1 million while heading to pick up daughter

Fort McMurray father wins $1 million while heading to pick up daughter

FORT McMURRAY — A quick stop for a soft drink turned into a million-dollar surprise for one Fort McMurray father after he won a $1-million LOTTO 6/49 prize.

Josh Gaudet says he was on his way to pick up his daughter from school when he decided to check his lottery ticket using the Lotto Spot app before heading into a convenience store.

Gaudet said he scanned the ticket several times because he could not believe what he was seeing.

The excitement was enough to completely derail his original plans.

Instead of going inside for the drink, Gaudet says he drove straight to the school still trying to process the win.

He said one of the first people he told was his daughter when he picked her up.

Gaudet says she quickly shared the news with just about everyone else.

The Fort McMurray resident won the $1-million prize in the March 18 LOTTO 6/49 Gold Ball draw with a white ball selection.

He purchased the winning ticket at the Circle K location on Signal Road in Fort McMurray.

Gaudet says the windfall will help fund a long-awaited family trip to Newfoundland so his daughter can meet relatives she has never met before, including her grandfather, aunts and uncles.

The family is also planning a stop in Toronto for some shopping along the way.

LOTTO 6/49’s Gold Ball draw offers players a chance to win guaranteed prizes, including the jackpot and additional million-dollar prizes.