Frano Selak survived seven near-death experiences as a Croatian music teacher including a train accident and a mid-air plane crash without sustaining any injuries. The world recognized him as the luckiest man alive after he survived seven near-death experiences before winning the lottery in 2003. (Images credit: iStock, X/@WorldKnowledge) via The Economic Times
The media recently brought back the story of Frano (also Frane) Selak who gained international recognition for surviving seven close calls during his life before winning the lottery jackpot.
Selak was born in 1929 and his first near-death experience occurred in January 1962 when the train he was on crashed into an icy river resulting in hypothermia and a broken arm as 17 people lost their lives.
A year after the first incident a plane door malfunctioned during flight which forced him to exit through a haystack where the plane crashed and killed 19 people although official records do not support this occurrence.
A bus carrying him in 1966 fell into a river but he survived the accident even though several passengers lost their lives.
During the 1970s he experienced two car fires which destroyed his vehicles while he managed to escape with his life.
A bus struck him in 1995 but he survived with minor injuries before a 1996 car crash ejected him from his vehicle as it descended a cliff while he held onto a tree branch before the car exploded below.
After winning approximately €900,000 in the Croatian lottery during 2003 he married his fifth wife Kata and used his winnings to purchase property and a boat before donating most of his money to live a simple life while funding family needs and medical procedures and building a shrine.
His life ended in November 2016 when he reached 87 years old but his extraordinary tale remains famous because of his remarkable combination of survival skills and destiny and legendary status.
References:
The Economic Times: The unbelievable life of Frano Selak
Wikepedia: Frano Selak