Source: Xinhua

02-01-2008 16:39

BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- A 58-year-old Englishman with a "ticking time bomb" in his chest who won about 19 million pounds (38 million U.S. dollars) on Britain's National Lottery said he would give up the unexpected wealth if he could live a few years longer with his wife.

Stephen Smith, from Hemel Hempstead, Herts, was the only winner of an 18,992,109 pound jackpot on Saturday.

But that did not make him any happier.

"It's Ida (his wife) I worry for, it's leaving her behind. I would give all that back if I am allowed to still be with her because there are no shops in the cemetery are there?" said Smith.

The windfall hit him when he and his wife stopped off on the way home from a family visit. They bought some lucky dip tickets, and that's it!

However, the money will make no difference to his condition as he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurism three years ago but had to wait until the aneurism is a certain size before doctors can operate on it, otherwise the risk is the same as it bursts, Smith explained.

"I have a one in 10 chance of living. It's like a ticking time bomb," said the man.

 

Editor:Zhao Yan