US actor Jeremy Renner expressed gratitude to his fans for their support following a severe injury he sustained while operating a snow plow.
On Instagram, Renner posted a photo of his bruised face and stated that he could not type due to the extent of his injuries. The actor, best known for his role in The Avengers, was airlifted to the hospital on Sunday following an accident involving a snow plow near his home in Reno, Nevada.
According to the local sheriff, Jeremy Renner was injured when he was struck by his own snow plow, which weighs a minimum of 14,330 pounds (6.5 tons). Renner suffered from chest trauma and orthopedic injuries and was in stable but critical condition in the intensive care unit at the time of the statement from his publicist on Monday. In an Instagram post from his hospital bed on Tuesday, Renner thanked his supporters and mentioned that he could not type due to the severity of his injuries.
According to Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam, the accident occurred during a storm that left about 3 feet of fresh snow on the ground. Renner had used his snow plow to help a family member whose car had become stuck in the snow near Renner’s house. After freeing the car, Renner got out to speak with his relative but the snow plow started to move while it was unoccupied.
According to Mr. Balaam, Renner was attempting to get back into the driver’s seat to stop the movement of the snow plow, which is an “extremely large” piece of equipment weighing at least 14,330 pounds, when he was run over. As stated by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average weight of a car is 4,289 pounds (2 tons). An eyewitness reported seeing Renner getting into the snow plow and not seeing him again until it stopped in a pile of snow in front of his driveway.
Sheriff Balaam described Renner as a “great neighbor” who frequently uses his snow plow to clear local roads. He noted that Renner has significantly impacted the community through his generosity and selflessness. At least 60 people in eight states died from the New Year’s snowstorm. The day after Renner’s accident, rally-driving champion Ken Block passed away after his snowmobile flipped at his ranch in Utah.
Jeremy Renner, a two-time Oscar nominee, is well-known for portraying Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including various Avengers films and the Hawkeye television series. He received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for his role in The Hurt Locker in 2008, and for Best Supporting Actor in The Town in 2010.
Source: BBC