A delivery driver has commemorated his daring deeds in a dramatic Angus flat fire rescue with a “super” tattoo.
Perth dad Brian Provan marked his memorable moment by getting Superman’s iconic emblem inked on to his chest to stand as a lasting reminder of the day he helped save a number of Arbroath residents from their burning block of flats.
While on his regular rounds as a Parcelforce delivery driver back on April 1, Mr Provan came across a fire at a property in Dishlandtown Street in Arbroath.
Faster than a speeding bullet, he jumped into action with no regard for his own safety and alerted the building’s occupants to the developing fire.
The 43-year-old driver smashed the front window of a ground-floor flat and kicked down a door to save a stranded woman.
Mr Provan said he “went into autopilot” when he saw the smoke.
“I was driving down the road and saw the smoke coming out the flat,” he said. “I just pulled in like a maddy and booted down the door.”
The alarmed residents were dragged to safety by the delivery driver and nearby neighbours and no one was injured.
Our reports of his endeavours spread fast and the Perth man soon became a minor celebrity in Arbroath.
After hearing of Mr Provan’s heroic turn, local tattoo artist Bry Prow, who runs Idle Hands Tattoo Parlour on the High Street, offered to give him a free tattoo fitting of his selfless act.
The two men met up last week in Arbroath and Mr Provan has been showing off the super symbol, known the world over, with pride.
He told The Courier: “The day after it all happened I pulled up for a delivery at Bry’s shop and he saw the van and me and put two and two together.
“He said, ‘You’re Superman, you deserve a tattoo to show it.’ And said he’d give me the Superman emblem for free, so we set it up.
“It was a lot more painful than going into the building that day, I can tell you that, but I’m very grateful to Bryan for doing it. He took his time and did a great job.
“It just shows you that there are some truly remarkable and generous people in the world and he is one of them.”
Mr Prow said he was happy to provide the tattoo for free as he believes that one good turn deserves another.
“It’s Karma isn’t it?” said Mr Prow. “You just treat people the way you want to be treated yourself.
“Brian is a good lad and he always delivers stuff to the shop. Everyone was calling him a hero so I said he needed the tattoo to show it. I’m glad he likes it.”