Do you know of the unluckiest man on the face of this earth?
Life is unpredictable, but some moments do get you thinking, how life might take a completely wrong turn. Of course, at least once for all of us, there would have been one such day wherein everything seemed terrible. But think of if you had a fellow who could very well be portrayed as “the unluckiest man in the world”? Believe it or not, there’s the real story about a person to whom the disputed title belonged. Let’s enter his life with clear words that’ll make anyone appreciate and understand that amazing story.
Frane Selak : The “Lucky Unluckiest Man of All Times”.
Frane Selak was a Croatian music teacher who gained notoriety throughout the world for his unbelievable string of misadventures-or were they disguised miracles? That depends on how you view it. What makes Frane’s story so unique isn’t just the number of accidents he survived but the sheer absurdity of those situations.
Let’s discuss some of the incidents that made people refer to him as the “unluckiest man in the world.”
A Life Full of Near-Death Experiences
Survivor of a Plane Crash (1963)
Imagine getting on a plane and feeling that it’s just another normal day. For Frane, that day became one of his closest encounters with death. During mid-flight, the door of the plane suddenly swung open. Frane was sucked out and started falling thousands of feet in the air. But wait! He survived! He landed in a haystack while the other passengers unfortunately died. This incident would suffice to brand someone unlucky, but for Frane, it was the inception.
Train Accident (1962)
Three years before the plane crash, Frane had already passed through a horrific train accident. The train Frane was traveling in derailed and sank into the icy river. Twenty people died, and Frane escaped with minimum injuries. Talking of the worst way to begin a journey!
Bus Crash (1966)
You might think Frane would stop riding public transport at that point. But life has other plans, and in 1966 he was on a bus that skidded off the road and into a river. Four people drowned, but again Frane got out alive.
Car Explosions (1970s)
Frane did not get along with the car either. Twice, his cars caught fire- once on the move and once right after stepping out from the automobile. He survived both times, but his cars were gutted.
Hit by a Bus (1995)
Not even walking-the dog could save Frane from misfortune. He was hit by a bus on a footpath in Zagreb. Miraculously, he sustained injuries only.
Car Cliff Plunge (1996)
A year later, while trying to swerve out of the way of an oncoming truck, Frane’s car veered off a cliff. It crashed and burned, but Frane could jump out just in time, grabbing a tree branch to save himself.
When you hear these stories, you would probably think that Frane Selak was the unluckiest person on earth. But here is the twist: he survived every one of them. He survived all those disasters. That’s why some people started calling him the “luckiest unlucky man” instead.
A Happy Ending
Yet, life had something more in store for Frane in the year 2003. He won a lottery jackpot! Good luck finally arrived to survive his lifetime of accident occurrences as he walked out with a jackpot that had the value of about $1 million. With this, he could retire in comfort and, away from all the turmoil his life had witnessed earlier, enjoy a quiet life.
And finally, Frane lived to a ripe old age, demonstrating that no matter how bad things get, resilience and a little bit of humor can go a long way.
Lessons From Frane’s Life
Frane Selak’s story is much more than a collection of bizarre accidents. It also carries some valuable lessons for all of us:
- Perspective is Everything : You may consider Frane’s life as full of disasters or consider the fact that he survived them all. Life throws challenges at you, but the way you take them is what matters.
- Resilience Pays Off : Frane did not allow his bad luck to define him. He went on and survived everything until he found happiness in the end.
- Luck is Complicated: Luck isn’t just about avoiding bad things; it’s also about how you come out on the other side. Frane’s story reminds us that there’s often a silver lining even in the worst situations.
Why Frane’s Story Stands Out
Stories have many accounts about the survival of those who encountered such fantastic events; however, in this case, the life that Frane survived has no equals. The high number of incidences he suffered combined with a miraculously preserved manner makes it unforgettable to most people.
Is Frane Selak the unluckiest man in the world, or the luckiest? Perhaps he is a little bit of both. At any rate, his life reminds us that no matter how bad things can get, we can always bounce back, perhaps even winning the lottery in the process.
The story of Frane Selak is really a rollercoaster of all the feelings: tragedy, humor, and inspiration. In short, the tale makes you wonder what, after all, is lucky and unlucky. And so, when you feel like the universe really does not like you, remember Frane, that if he had survived a plane crash, followed by a train accident, then a bus crash, and finally, came out with a beaming smile; so can you!