Extraordinary Stories of Lottery-Winning Survivors

Mohamed Basheer Abdul Khadar, a 61-year-old Indian, was aboard Emirates Airlines flight EK521 on August 3, 2016. The plane, returning him to Dubai, skidded on the runway and exploded after all passengers evacuated. Six days later, Khadar won the Dubai Duty-Free Millennium Millionaire lottery, securing $1 million.

For him, the prize was not just luck but a divine blessing. “God gave me a second life in that crash and blessed me with this money so I can do good,” Khadar said. Planning to return to India after retirement, he expressed a desire to work on behalf of underprivileged children. “I won’t donate all my winnings, but I will work to help those in need.”

Khadar’s story reflects gratitude and a commitment to giving back. His journey after the accident shows how a traumatic event can inspire transformation, motivating him to serve others.

Frane Selak, a Croatian music teacher, has a life worthy of a movie plot. Selak claims to have survived seven near-fatal incidents before winning the lottery in 2003. He described his journey as “a fine line between luck and misfortune.”

Selak’s first brush with death came in 1962 when he was on a train traveling from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik. The train derailed, and Selak found himself in an icy river with a broken arm, miraculously surviving. Yet, this would only be the beginning.

In 1963, he survived a plane incident en route to visit his sick mother. As he recounts, a plane door opened mid-flight, sucking passengers out. Selak, however, was miraculously saved by landing on a haystack that cushioned his fall.

In 1966, another incident occurred when his bus plunged into a river, claiming four lives. Selak escaped with only minor injuries. He would later survive two car fires and an accident involving a bus.

His final escape came in 1996 when his car fell off a cliff after a truck swerved into his lane. He managed to cling to a tree as his car plummeted 90 meters and exploded below.

Years later, Selak won $1 million in the lottery. He told The Telegraph that he always believed something good would come of his misfortunes, and winning the lottery confirmed it. “I feel like I’ve been reborn,” he said. “I’ll live peacefully now.”

What makes Khadar and Selak’s stories so fascinating is the improbability of their experiences. Both men survived deadly tragedies and later won the lottery.

For Khadar, his prize was a sign to do good and help others in need. He sees his fortune as a blessing, intending to give back after many years of working in Dubai. Selak’s journey, on the other hand, demonstrates determination: despite his many misfortunes, he maintained faith that life would eventually reward him.

The stories of Mohamed Basheer Abdul Khadar and Frane Selak challenge logic and probabilities. To some, these events may seem like destiny or divine protection, while others see them as extraordinary coincidences. The fact remains that both tales gained attention due to their unique blend of survival and fortune.

While Khadar sees his prize as a call to give back, Selak has decided it’s time to live without further risks. Their stories show how luck can appear at the most improbable moments.

For those who dream of winning the lottery, Khadar and Selak’s stories might inspire belief in life’s unpredictability. After all, playing the lottery can become an adventure that transcends wealth, touching on faith in a higher luck—or perhaps just in the power of numbers.

Their stories reveal that even against the slimmest odds, the unexpected can happen, and the dream of winning the lottery may arrive when least expected—perhaps as a life complement for overcoming past challenges.