A man who scored a USD150,000 lotto jackpot has told how he almost forgot all about his ticket as he got ready for the start of the deer hunting season.

Winner Austin Stewart, from the city of Blackfoot, in the US state of Idaho, said he was too busy preparing for the season’s opening next month.

But when he checked, he was astonished at the huge win and was just one number away from scooping USD 1.5 billion (GBP 1.2 billion).

Austin said in a statement obtained by Newsflash from the Idaho Lottery: “Finances are pretty tight these days, so I kinda felt guilty buying the ticket for Monday night.

“But I’m glad I did.

“I was so excited for my deer hunting trip, I didn’t check the ticket until I got back last night. I didn’t believe it.

“I took it to the store to have them check it, too. They said I had to come to Boise. I couldn’t sleep all night.”

Austin, who had matched four numbers and the Powerball, and his family, collected the prize at lottery headquarters on 12th October.

He said: “I’m trying not to think that I was only one number away from winning USD 1.5 billion [GBP 1.2 billion].

“But this is incredible and just what the family needed.”

Austin told lotto officials he will use the money for a new roof for their house and save the remainder.

The Idaho Lottery said: “Congratulations, Austin, on a great win for you and the family!

“As this jackpot run on Powerball came to a close, the State of Idaho really benefitted.

“Over the entire run, Idaho schools and the State’s buildings will have earned approximately USD 6.1 million [GBP 5 million] just from Powerball sales, including USD 633,000 [GBP 518,000]] from the final draw on 11th October 2023.

“That makes Idaho the real winner!”