George Blackstock of Greensboro said he had a heart-stopping morning after he won $1 million playing $5,000,000 Mega Cash.

The tour bus driver bought a ticket Tuesday morning at the Freeway Mart on Freeway Drive in Reidsville. He rushed to his car to scratch his ticket. At first, Blackstock thought he won $100. He kept scratching and soon realized he won $1 million.

“I couldn’t stop saying, ‘Oh Lord!’” Blackstock said. “I think my heart stopped for a few seconds. I was out of breath.”

Blackstock claimed the prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal withholdings, he took home $417,012. He plans to pay off his bills and do some house repairs with the winnings.

$5,000,000 Mega Cash launched in May with three top prizes of $5 million and six prizes of $1 million. Two $5 million prizes and three $1 million prizes remain.

Ticket sales from instant scratch-off games made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million for the state last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Guilford County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.