'I'm too messed up now': Marvel star Jeremy Renner shares update after traumatic snowplough accident
Marvel star Jeremy Renner has shared an update on his traumatic injuries after he was involved in a snow ploughing incident on New Year's Day.
The actor, 51, suffered "blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries" after he was run over by a Snowcat while helping a family member get their vehicle out of the snow and has been recovering in the intensive care unit.
Taking to Instagram to share an update to fans, Renner said he was "messed up" but thanked everyone for their love and support.
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Marvel star Jeremy Renner has shared an update on his traumatic injuries after he was involved in a snow ploughing incident on New Year's Day. Instagram
"Thank you all for your kind words," the Avengers star captioned a selfie, which showed some of his facial injuries. "I'm too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all."
Thousands of celebrity friends and fans took to the comment section to wish the actor well in his long recovery.
"Continued prayers your way brutha," fellow actor Chris Pratt wrote. "Sending so much love n healing!" Vanessa Hudgens added.
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Renner was in Reno, Nevada, helping a family member and neighbours in the snow when he was run over by a snowplough on Sunday morning local time.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said the Avengers star's injuries were the result of a "tragic accident", with no signs of foul play or any indication that Renner was impaired at the time of the incident.
"At this point in the investigation ... we believe this is a tragic accident," the sheriff said in Reno on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
"He was being a great neighbour and he was ploughing those roads for his neighbours."
The actor, 51, suffered "blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries" after he was run over by a Snowcat while helping a family member get their vehicle out of the snow Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Balaam said Renner had used his Pistenbully snow groomer, a 6.35-tonnes vehicle he owns, to tow another personal vehicle that had become snowbound on a private road he shares with neighbours.
"After successfully towing his personal vehicle from its stuck location, Mr Renner got out of his (snowcat) to speak to his family member," Balaam said.
"The Pistenbully started to roll. In an effort to stop (it), Mr Renner attempts to climb back into the driver's seat. It's at this point that Mr Renner is run over."
The sheriff said the snowcat was impounded and is being examined by investigators "for any mechanical failure and why it started to roll".
Balaam said the two-time acting Oscar nominee – who scored back-to-back Oscar nominations for The Hurt Locker and The Town in 2009 and 2010 respectively – become an honorary deputy sheriff in Reno through his participation in the county's "Shop with the Sheriff" program that raises money for children to shop for Christmas gifts.
Balaam said the two-time acting Oscar nominee become an honorary deputy sheriff in Reno through his participation in the county's "Shop with the Sheriff" program that raises money for children, who call the Avengers actor Hawkeye Supplied
"Throughout the community he has been very generous," the sheriff said.
"Those kids who he touched during 'Shop with the Sheriff', I can guarantee you they will never forget that moment," he added. "They call him Hawkeye."
Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said the actor was trying to free a stranded car outside his home on January 1 when the incident occurred.
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He was helping someone stranded in the snow," Schieve, who said she is friends with Renner, told the publication. "He is always helping others."
The accident left Renner in a serious but stable condition, with multiple chest and facial injuries.
It took first responders from Reno more than 30 minutes to traverse the several miles of snowy road to reach Renner on the private road off the highway.
The accident left Renner in a serious but stable condition, with multiple chest and facial injuries. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
As many as 20 vehicles had been abandoned on the roadway after 0.91 metres of fresh snow fell overnight, slowing the fire engine and ambulance response.
Renner was flown by medical helicopter about 40 kilometers to a Reno hospital, where he has since undergone surgery.
At the time of the accident, parts of western Nevada were covered with snow. The Reno area received around 15 - 30 centimetres of snow at elevations below 1,500 metres between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and up to 45 centimetres at higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.
Renner has shared multiple videos and photos on his verified social media accounts showing him in snowy conditions, including one Instagram video posted two weeks ago in which the actor appears to be driving a snow plough.
- Reported with Associated Press
