Lottery Winner Adam Lopez Hospitalised After Party‑Induced Blood Clots

When Adam Lopez, a 39‑year‑old former forklift driver from Mattishall, Norfolk, discovered he’d won a £1,000,012.40 National Lottery scratch‑off in July 2025, his life went from a modest £12.40 bank balance to a million‑plus overnight. The win, run by Allwyn, the operator behind the UK National Lottery, sparked a three‑month binge of champagne, late‑night parties and, ultimately, a medical emergency that landed Lopez in Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on 10 September 2025.

The Win and Its Immediate Aftermath

Lopez bought five £5 scratch‑off tickets at a corner shop near Norwich on 12 July. The ticket that hit the jackpot was a silver‑filled 6‑40 game, and the moment the numbers aligned, the shop’s till rang twice. Within hours, Lopez quit his job, telling the BBC that the sudden wealth created “a complete disconnect from the life I was living”. He described the next weeks as “an absolute rollercoaster”, a phrase that quickly became the headline of his local fame.

A Party Spiral and Community Reaction

What followed was a three‑month celebration that the village still talks about. Neighbours reported nonstop noise, with one resident recalling, “He just wouldn’t stop, he went from champagne to beer to energy drinks as if running a marathon no one asked for.” Another likened the raucous nights to “England’s last World Cup heartbreak”, a nod to the 2022 disappointment that still haunts local pubs.

Lopez’s budget for fun ballooned quickly. He set aside a “party fund” of £250,000, a “family pot” of £200,000, and earmarked the remaining £550,000 for future savings. But the celebratory marathon meant long nights on a couch, minimal movement, and a diet of processed snacks that, as medical experts later noted, can increase clot‑forming risk when combined with inactivity.

Medical Crisis: Pulmonary Embolism

On 10 September at 21:39 UTC, paramedics arrived at Lopez’s Mattishall home. He’d developed a bilateral pulmonary embolism — a condition where blood clots travel from the leg to block arteries in the lungs. “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t breathe,” Lopez told BBC reporters from the ambulance. The sirens, he said, were “a kick up the backside” that forced him to reassess his priorities.

Doctors at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital confirmed the clot originated in his left calf, likely a deep‑vein thrombosis exacerbated by prolonged sitting during his parties. The British Heart Foundation notes that tens of thousands of UK residents face similar emergencies each year, often linked to extended immobility.

Lopez spent eight consecutive days under observation, receiving anticoagulant therapy and oxygen support. While The Independent reported a stay of “just over a week”, GB News echoed the eight‑day figure, emphasizing that the hospital’s rapid response saved his life.

Recovery, Reflections, and Future Plans

Upon discharge, Lopez announced a new mantra: “putting my partying aside while I focus on health for the next six to nine months.” He praised the nursing staff for their “exceptional care” and admitted that his earlier approach to wealth was, in hindsight, “the wrong way”.

In a follow‑up interview on 5 October 2025, Lopez told the BBC, “It’s allowed me to live a bit of a life I’ve never lived, but I think I went the wrong way about it… When you’re in the back of the ambulance, none of the money matters.” He now plans to channel a portion of his winnings into a fitness program, regular medical check‑ups, and, eventually, a modest charitable contribution to the British Heart Foundation.

Broader Context: Lottery Wins and Health Risks

Lopez’s story isn’t the first where a sudden windfall leads to health complications. Studies from the University of Cambridge show that abrupt wealth can trigger lifestyle extremes, from binge drinking to erratic sleep patterns, which elevate cardiovascular stress. The NHS has warned that celebratory excesses after big wins may increase the likelihood of clot‑related events.

Allwyn, the lottery operator, released a statement reminding players that “responsible enjoyment is key”. While the company can’t control personal choices, it has pledged to fund a public‑health campaign on safe celebration practices.

• Win amount: £1,000,012.40 (≈ $2.04 million AUD)
• Hospital stay: 8 days
• Condition: Bilateral pulmonary embolism
• Recovery timeline: 6–9 months
• Future focus: health, fitness, charitable giving