Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended1673167572

Jeremy Renner accident – as it happened: Marvel star recovers in hospital after being crushed by snow plough

Avengers star, who turned 52 on Saturday 7 January, in ‘critical but stable’ condition after accident

Jeremy Renner shares video recovering in hospital after snowploughing accident

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Actor Jeremy Renner celebrated his 52nd birthday in hospital, where he is being treated after being “crushed” by a snow plough that left him with serious injuries.

The Marvel star underwent two surgeries at a Nevada hospital after the “tragic”incident that has left him on a “long road to recovery”.

He had been trying to rescue his car from the snow when he was accidentally run over by the heavy-duty snow plough he’d been operating.

“We can confirm that Jeremy has suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries and has undergone surgery today (2 January),” Renner’s family said in their original statement. “He has returned from surgery and remains in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition.”

On Wednesday (4 January), TMZ obtained the details of the log made by emergency services at the time, including details from the 911 call that give further insight into Renner’s immediate injuries.

According to the publication, Renner was audibly groaning in the background of the call, due to his pain.

The record notes that the right side of Renner’s chest had collapsed and that his upper torso was crushed.

The plough ran over one of the actor’s legs, despite a large array of safety features, leading to major blood loss, a neighbour said.

In his first post since the accident, Renner shared a selfie from his hospital bed with the caption: “Thank you all for your kind words. Im [sic] too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all.”

Renner was met with an outpouring of support from his fans and Marvel co-stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Taika Waititi and Chris Pratt.

On Saturday 7 January, Renner turned 52. He was sharing birthday messages on his Instagram Stories from his hospital bed.

1672936257

Quick rundown of Renner’s family tree

With Renner’s family recently releasing a statement, I thought it might be helpful to share a quick rundown of his family tree.

Renner was born in 1971 to his parents, Valerie Cearley and Lee Renner, who divorced when he was 10. He is the eldest of seven, with his father welcoming Renner’s youngest sibling in 2011. The actor was 40 years old when his youngest brother Theo was born!

He welcomed his only child, daughter Ava Berlin Runner with American Pie actor Sonni Pacheco in 2013. Renner and Pacheco later married in 2014, before ultimately divorcing a year after in 2015.

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 16:30
1672938057

Renner’s Marvel co-stars among celebrities sharing support

A few days after the accident, Renner made his first social media post – a selfie shared from his hospital bed.

Many responded with their best wishes, including the actor’s Avengers co-stars Chris Pratt and Chris Hemsworth.

Other big names like Jimmy Fallon and Paul Bettany have also chimed in. Find out all the celebrities who have shared their well-wishes below.

(Left to right) Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Chris Pratt
(Left to right) Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner and Chris Pratt (Getty Images/Instagram)

‘Speedy recovery buddy. Sending love your way!’ Hemsworth wrote

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 17:00
1672939857

Renner’s ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ co-star cheers him on

In response to Renner’s first video update from the ICU on Thursday (5 January), posted on social media, the actor has been met with loads of positive comments.

One of which comes from his Mayor of Kingstown co-star Rob Kirkland, who wrote: “Let’s go, brother!”

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 17:30
1672941657

What is a PistenBully?

With all this talk of Renner being run over by a snowplough, specifically a Pistenbully/Snowcat, here’s a brief explanation of what that is.

The PistenBully/Snowcat is an extremely large variant of your average snowplough, and it’s the kind you’d generally see at a ski resort, local authorities said.

PistenBully, grooming machine
PistenBully, grooming machine (Christoph Jorda)

It weighs at least 6500 kg, three times more than the average car, which weighs close to 2000 kg.

Oftentimes, these types of snow groomers are owned commercially. However, they’ve become increasingly popular to own privately, especially among those living in Colorado’s snowy mountains.

Earlier this winter, prior to the accident, Renner had posted numerous photos and videos of him using the PistenBully on social media.

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 18:00
1672943457

Jeremys unite!

Jeremy Renner has received “some love from another Jeremy”.

Film producer Jeremy Newberger commented on the actor’s recent video update, writing: “Feel better Jeremy, and soon! (some love from another Jeremy.).”

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 18:30
1672947057

Why did Renner own a PistenBully?

Although more commonly owned commercially, this type of heavy-duty machinery is becoming trendy for private use, especially in the Colorado mountains.

Renner, in particular, lives in Reno, Nevada, where they experienced extreme snowfall this December. The night before the accident, the area had received three feet of snow.

The New Year’s Eve snowstorm left more than 17,500 homes without power in Washoe County, where Renner resides.

Right before the accident occurred, Renner was clearing snow from driveways around his neighbourhood.

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 19:30
1672948857

What are police investigating?

Police have announced that the investigation into Renner’s accident is ongoing.

During Sheriff Balaam’s Tuesday (3 January) press conference, he shared that they’re doing what they would normally do after any major accident.

At the moment, the PistenBully is in their possession while they analyse it to “rule out any mechanical failure” that may have caused it to start rolling.

However, they don’t suspect any “foul play” and believe it was just a “tragic” incident.

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 20:00
1672950657

Renner posts first video update from ICU

Earlier today (5 January), the Marvel star shared his second update on social media since the accident.

In the form of a video, he posted a “spa moment” from the ICU, showing his sister Kym shampooing his hair.

“That’s the first shower in definitely a week or so. Gross!” he joked.

Jeremy Renner shares video from hospital ICU after snowploughing accident
Inga Parkel5 January 2023 20:30
1672954257

What are Renner’s injuries?

At the moment, local authorities have deferred the right to Renner and his family to share updates on his condition.

The only information they’ve released at this time is that he’s “suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries”, for which he has undergone two surgeries.

Jeremy Renner Instagram
Jeremy Renner Instagram (jeremyrenner/Instagram)

Also, according to the recently obtained 911 call log, Renner was said to have been “bleeding heavily from his head and other [unknown] injuries”.

Inga Parkel5 January 2023 21:30
1672957839

DC boss James Gunn was among the first celebrities to respond to Renner’s accident

“My heart is with Jeremy Renner,” Gunn wrote on Twitter, next to the prayer hands emoji.

James Gunn
James Gunn (Getty Images)
Inga Parkel5 January 2023 22:30

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in