Work experience shares in $108m office lottery

A work experience girl who joined an office lottery syndicate has scooped a share in a $108m (€109.4m) jackpot.

The summer intern was one of nine staff at the New York Housing Authority who took the top prize in the US Mega Millions game.

The girl, who has not been named, only learned she had won when she phoned in sick the morning after the draw.

Another winner, Herb Williams, was told of his new fortune when he turned up to work.

“You’re kidding me, right? You’re joking,” he said after colleagues shared the good news.

They will each pick up nearly $12.5m (€12.67m), but will face heavy taxing on their winnings.

Housing Authority chairman Tino Hernandez said: “Right now they’re all in a state of exuberance and shock. At this point they’re just trying to process what happened.”

The group’s former boss, Dorshea Redhead, told the New York Daily News: “These are people who needed it. It was a blessing."