This Man Cheated Death 7 Times And Even Won A Million Dollars In A Lottery!
Have you ever heard of someone surviving a train derailment, a plane crash, and a car explosion—all in one lifetime? Meet Frane Selak (1929–2016), a Croatian man whose life story seems like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster. Some call him the “luckiest man alive,” while others see him as “unluckiest,” given the constant danger he faced. His alleged near-death experiences have left people debating whether his survival was sheer luck or a bizarre twist of fate. And, as if surviving seven disasters wasn’t enough, he also won the lottery!
The Beginning of an Unbelievable Journey (1962 Train Accident)
Frane Selak’s extraordinary tale began in January 1962 on a train journey from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik. As the train passed through a cold and rainy canyon, it derailed and plunged into a river. Tragically, 17 passengers lost their lives. Selak, however, was saved by an unknown person and managed to reach the shore with a broken arm and hypothermia. This traumatic incident marked the start of an almost impossible series of events.
Brushes with Death: The Unfolding Series of Events
The Plane Crash (1963)
A year after his train accident, Selak experienced his first and only plane ride. During the flight from Zagreb to Rijeka, a malfunction caused a door to detach mid-air, sucking passengers out of the plane. Selak claims he was blown out of the aircraft but miraculously landed in a haystack. Unfortunately, 19 passengers died in the crash. Strangely, no official records of this crash exist, leaving the story shrouded in mystery.
The Bus Accident (1966)
In 1966, Selak found himself in yet another transportation disaster. The bus he was riding skidded off the road into a river. Four passengers drowned, but Selak swam to safety with only minor cuts and bruises.
Car Explosions and Fires (1970 and 1973)
Selak’s luck with vehicles didn’t improve. In 1970, his car caught fire while he was driving. He managed to escape moments before the fuel tank exploded. Just three years later, in 1973, another car mishap occurred when a faulty fuel pump sprayed hot oil over the engine, causing flames to burst through the air vents. Selak’s hair was completely burned, but he emerged otherwise unharmed.
Zagreb Bus Incident (1995)
In 1995, Selak was struck by a bus in Zagreb. Miraculously, he walked away with only minor injuries, adding another bizarre escape to his record.
Mountain Road Truck Collision (1996)
The following year brought one of his most dramatic brushes with death. While driving along a mountain road, Selak swerved to avoid an oncoming United Nations truck. His car hit a guardrail, which gave way under the impact. Selak, not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and clung to a tree branch as his car plummeted 300 feet into a ravine. Remarkably, he survived without serious injury.
Truth vs. Fiction: Can It All Be Real?
Frane Selak’s story is extraordinary, but it has its skeptics. None of his near-death experiences have been independently verified, and some details are inconsistent across accounts. For example, the alleged 1963 plane crash has no official record. Critics suggest Selak may have embellished his stories or misremembered events over time.
Selak himself admitted that his life story came with challenges. “There came a stage when I was lucky to have any friends at all,” he once said. “Many stopped seeing me, saying I was bad karma.” Whether fact or fiction, his tale continues to intrigue, blending elements of survival, mystery, and luck.
A Twist of Fortune: Winning the Lottery
In the mid-2000s, Selak’s fortune took a surprising turn when he won €900,000 (approximately $1.1 million) in the lottery. With his winnings, he bought two houses and a boat. However, by 2010, Selak chose to give most of his money away to friends and family, deciding to live a frugal lifestyle. “All I need at my age is my Katarina,” he said, referring to his fifth wife. “Money would not change anything… when she arrived, I knew then that I really did have a charmed, blessed life.”
Selak spent some of his winnings on a hip operation and a shrine to the Virgin Mary, expressing his gratitude for his survival and blessings. Despite his unbelievable life story, Selak remained a humble man, living simply as a music teacher with tales that defy belief.
Conclusion
Frane Selak’s life was anything but ordinary. Whether you see him as the “luckiest” or “unluckiest” man, his story challenges our understanding of survival and fate. From escaping death seven times to winning the lottery, his life continues to captivate and inspire. But the ultimate question remains: Was his life a testament to extraordinary luck, or was it a mix of fact and embellishment? What do you think—fact, fiction, or something in between?
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