Asda Tain delivery driver hailed a "hero" and "true gent" after aiding an OAP who had fallen on ice in Thurso, Caithness and broke her shoulder and arm
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A HERO delivery driver who aided an OAP after she broke her shoulder and arm in a fall on ice has been hailed by as a "true gent" by the lady's grand-daughter.
Paul Raven (52), who works as a home delivery van driver for Asda's Tain store, has also been praised by his "proud" employers after the grand-daughter got in touch at the store to thank him for his compassion and kindness following the incident.
Paul was just leaving Thurso when he saw the 83-year-old lady trying to cross the road near her home and fall on bad ice.
He made the lady comfortable and warm then chatted with her for about an hour keeping her conscious until an ambulance arrived and took her to hospital.
Paul, who's worked at the store since March, said: "I'd pulled over as a tractor had broken down in front of me and I saw the lady struggling to walk. I opened the van door and was just about to shout 'be careful' as it was extremely icy when she lost her footing and slipped over.
"I ran over to help, but I then slipped and ended up on the ground and a council worker nearby came over and he slipped too, so there were three of us on the ground!"
The lady was in a lot of pain and they didn't want to move her for fear of doing more harm, so after calling for an ambulance, Paul got a large blue roll from his van to put under her head to keep it off the floor then someone from a nearby hotel got thick blankets to put under her to keep her warm.
Paul then used the lady's mobile to phone her grand-daughter, who came over to be with her.
He said: "We just stayed and talked to her. We spoke about all sorts really, just keeping her mind busy and focused as she was getting quite cold and we didn't want her losing consciousness. She started to go into shock a bit and was beginning to shiver.
"The grand-daughter had her baby in the car, so I kept going to check if the baby was okay, just running around and helping out really."
Once the ambulance arrived, Paul then continued with his deliveries.
Paul, who ran his own taxi company for 15 years, said: "I did what I had to do really. Customer service is what I've always done. I like to help where I can.
"If we all did our bit to help each other and look after each other the world would be a nicer place."
Paul has been married to Kelly for 18 years and they have three children – Jack, who's 30, Phoebe, who's 23, and 13-year-old Jack.
He said: "I love driving and being on the road and I love meeting people – that's the best part of the job. It's enjoyable, it's brilliant. Everyone is always pleased to see you as you are bringing them food!"
Home shopping manager Tracey MacPherson, who has nominated Paul for an Asda service superstar award, said: "Paul really is a hero for what he did, making sure the lady was okay. We are all very proud of him.
"Paul's a very good colleague who's great with his customers. Thank you Paul for going above and beyond."
