I’m very lucky to be alive after being hit by bus at full speed, says Lotto winner

A LOTTO winner has said he is very lucky to be alive after being hit full-force by a double-decker bus last week.

Peter Lavery, who won a £10.2 million jackpot in 1996, was crossing the road in Donegall Square West in Belfast city center when the accident happened at 9am last Monday.

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The former bus driver was rushed to hospital together with another person – the room was closed for technical examination.

And speaking from his home in Down, the multimillionaire said he had 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’ve been very lucky, but it’s not the first time I’ve been lucky.

“I’m OK. I lost a little blood in the accident and I was obviously in shock, but other than a little pain, I’m getting better. I know I’ve been very lucky.

“I have sixteen stitches in the back of my head and I will take them out on Monday. I hope I can get back to work when that’s done.”

Peter also recalled the terrifying moment he was hit by the bus and said he was almost on the other side of the road.

He added: “The bus hit me with full force. I was three-quarters of the way across the road and when I saw it coming I just knew it was hitting me, I just knew it.”

Peter’s winning Lotto ticket earned him £10.2 million (€11.8 million) at the age of 34.

After spending some time in St. Lucia in the Caribbean before returning home, Peter went on a mission to give back.

He brought twenty children with their parents who were affected by the problems to Disney World Florida.

He founded The Rita Charles Trust in memory of his parents who died when he was in his mid-40s.

Peter recently appeared on a BBC show documenting his efforts to reintroduce whiskey distilling in Belfast.

He opened up about the “reality” of his victory and how his new lifestyle almost cost him his life.

A cocktail of drinking and partying took its toll on his health.

He said: “On doctor’s orders I had to stop drinking, otherwise I wouldn’t be here today.”

Peter talked about how he was the lucky one out of 33 million players.

He said: “The night I won my fortune, 33 million people played the lottery and I got six numbers correct, which is incredible.

“It certainly changed my life and the lives of a lot of other people.”