According to the Free Dictionary, a "coincidence" is "a sequence of events that, although accidental, seems to have been planned or arranged". And no doubt we have all had such experiences, often leaving us with a sense of wonder and mystery. But is it really coincidence? Or is something else working behind the scenes?
Here is a collection of some of the most bizarre stories about coincidence:
Rightful Winner
1858: Robert Fallon was shot dead by his fellow poker players, accused of cheating when he won the $600 pot. None of the other players were willing to claim the now-unlucky winnings, but a new player sat in Fallon's empty chair and staked with the dead man's $600. By the time the police arrived to investigate the murder, the new player had gained an additional $1,200 in winnings. The police demanded that the original $600 be passed on to Fallon's next of kin. As it turned out, the new player was Fallon's son, who had not seen his father in seven years!
—Ripley's Giant Book of Believe It or Not!
Vengeful Bullet
1883: When Henry Ziegland broke up with his girlfriend, out of distress, she committed suicide. The girl's enraged brother hunted down Ziegland and shot him. Believing that he had killed Ziegland, he then turned the gun on himself, taking his own life. However, the bullet had only grazed Ziegland's face and subsequently lodged in a tree. Some years later, Ziegland decided to cut down the large tree, which still had the bullet in it. The task proved to be more difficult than he thought it would be, so he decided to blow it up with some dynamite. The resultant explosion propelled the bullet into Ziegland's head, killing him instantly.
—Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Strangers On A Train
1920s: Three Englishmen, who had been traveling separately by train through Peru, found themselves en route in the same railroad car. They introduced themselves and were surprised to find that they had more in common than they first thought. One man's last name was Bingham, the second man's last name was Powell, and the third man announced that his last name was Bingham-Powell. Yet none were related in any way.
—Mysteries of the Unexplained
Locating George Bryson
Late 1950s: George D. Bryson, during a business trip, registered at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. After signing the register and being given the key to his room (Room 307), he asked the mail desk if any letters had arrived for him. The mail girl told him that there was, indeed, a letter and gave him an envelope addressed to Mr. George D. Bryson, Room 307. This is not remarkable in itself, but the letter was not actually his. It was for the just-previous room's occupant - another man named George D. Bryson!
—Incredible Coincidence, Alan Vaughan
Bermuda Taxi
1975: While riding a moped in Bermuda, a man was accidentally struck and killed by a taxi. A year later, the man's brother was also similarly killed. In fact, he was riding the very same moped and, against the odds, was hit by the same taxi driven by the same driver - even carrying the same passenger as before!
—Phenomena: A Book of Wonders, John Michell and Robert J. M. Rickard
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