In a heart-stopping incident that could have ended in tragedy, actor Jeremy Renner, known for his role as the bow-wielding superhero Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was almost crushed to death by a snowplough while trying to save his nephew.
According to a police report, Renner was using a six-tonne PistenBully plough to help his nephew, Alexander Fries, free his car from the heavy snow that had accumulated near the Mount Rose Highway, which links Lake Tahoe and south Reno and straddles the Nevada-California border in the US.
The incident took place around the new year, and as the two of them were trying to get the Ford pickup truck out of the driveway, it got stuck multiple times. In a bid to free the vehicle, Renner and Fries decided to use the PistenBully to pull the truck out of the driveway. They connected a chain to the back of the PistenBully and to the front of the Ford pickup and successfully managed to get the pickup truck out of the driveway.
However, as Renner turned the PistenBully around and began to drive it further west on the Drive, Fries noticed that the vehicle was rolling down the hill with nobody inside driving it. Fries, who was parked in the middle of the street, immediately began to run towards the truck in an attempt to stop it. He observed Renner jumping on the tracks of the PistenBully to get into the cab of the vehicle, but unfortunately, he got caught on the PistenBully trucks and was ultimately run over by the PistenBully.
Fries, who did not have his phone with him at the time, began “screaming for help” and was assisted by two neighbours who provided towels and assistance to Renner while medical personnel arrived.
Renner sustained injuries to his “torso, face, extremities and head” during the accident and has been recovering in the hospital since. In a statement, he revealed that he had broken more than 30 bones in the incident, but he was determined to recover, stating that his bones would “grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens”.
The accident has been a wake-up call for Renner, who has always been known for his daredevil stunts and action scenes in his movies. He has often performed his own stunts in movies like The Hurt Locker, Arrival, 28 Weeks Later, American Hustle, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and the Bourne Legacy, which earned him worldwide recognition.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Renner has kept fans updated with his recovery process, and on Saturday, he thanked those who sent him messages of support. He has been an inspiration to many, showing that even in the darkest of times, one can still find the strength to carry on.
As Hawkeye, Renner has appeared in Marvel films including Thor, Black Widow, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Endgame, as well as the character’s eponymous TV series. He recently made a cameo appearance in the Knives Out sequel Glass Onion, and his fans are eagerly waiting for his return to the big screen.
Renner’s accident has brought to light the dangers of heavy machinery and the importance of safety measures. It is a reminder to all of us to be cautious and stay alert when operating heavy machinery, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Jeremy Renner’s brush with death has been a sobering experience for the actor and his fans. But his determination to recover and his positive attitude towards the accident is a testament to his strength of character.