Jeremy Renner in ‘critical but stable’ condition after ‘weather-related’ accident.
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Actor Jeremy Renner has undergone two surgeries at a Nevada hospital after suffering serious injuries in a “tragic” snow plowing accident.
The Hurt Locker star is “conscious, stable and talking” and reportedly underwent the surgeries as part of his “long road to recovery.”
“We can confirm that Jeremy has suffered blunt force chest trauma and orthopedic injuries and has undergone surgery today (Jan. 2),” Renner’s family said in their original statement. “He has returned from surgery and remains in the intensive care unit in a critical but stable condition.”
At a news conference Tuesday (Jan. 3), Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam described how a family member had been driving Renner’s car when it got stuck in the snow.
“He went to retrieve his PistenBully or SnowCat, an extremely large piece of snow-moving equipment, to move his vehicle,” Balaam said. “After moving the vehicle from the stuck location, Mr. Renner exited the PistenBully to speak with a family member and began rolling.
“He attempted to get into the driver’s seat of the PistenBully, it was at this point that he was hit by the PistenBully.”
The plow accidentally ran over one of the actor’s legs, despite an array of safety features, leading to significant blood loss, a neighbor said.
In her first post since the accident, Renner shared a selfie from her hospital bed with the caption: “Thank you all for your kind words. I am [sic] too messy to write now. But I send you all love.”
Renner, 51, received a lot of support from fans and Marvel co-stars including Chris Hemsworth, Taika Waititi and Chris Pratt.
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Do you need a license to drive a Snowcat?
After the Sheriff’s press conference, a reporter asked if anyone could drive a Snowcat or if they needed a license to operate one.
“It was on a private road, so he can drive that Snowcat. In this case, as Mr. Renner always does, these private roads. He was being a great neighbor and plowing those roads for his neighbors up there. Again they had three feet,” answered Sheriff Balaam.
Now, while the Marvel actor was on private roads, many companies require professional Snowcat operators/drivers to have at least a driver’s license. Some even require their drivers to pass training and certification before operating the Snowcat.
Snowcat machines are often used to clear tons of snow to prepare slopes for skiers
(Wikimedia Commons)
Inga Parkel January 4, 2023 7:50 p.m
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Sheriff clears up ‘misinformation’ on Renner crash
Later, at his press conference on Tuesday (Jan. 3), Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam shared clarifying “details” of Renner’s accident to clear up “some misinformation that has been circulating.”
Balaam said: “I want to be clear here, as we go to a major accident investigation and we are handling it as we would any other major accident investigation. We are still conducting interviews and processing elements of the scene.
“Based on our investigation, Mr. Renner’s personal vehicle, which was being driven by a family member, had become stuck in the snow near his home.
“Mr. Renner went to retrieve his PistenBully, or Snowcat, an extremely large piece of snow removal equipment, weighing a minimum of 14,330 pounds (about 6,500 kg), in an effort to get his vehicle move,” he continued.
“After successfully towing his personal vehicle from its stranded location, Mr. Renner exited his PistenBully to speak with a family member. At this point, it is noted that the PistenBully began to roll. In an effort to stop the PistenBully, Mr. Renner tries to get back into the driver’s seat of the PistenBully.
“According to our investigation, it is at this point that Mr. Renner is hit by the PistenBully. An eyewitness detailed seeing Mr. Renner enter the PistenBully and not see him again until the PistenBully came to rest in a pile of snow in front of his driveway,” Balaam explained.
“At this point in the investigation, we do not believe that Mr. Renner was impaired at all and believe that this is a tragic accident.”
While the investigation continues, Balaam stressed that “they do not suspect foul play.”
Inga Parkel January 4, 2023 7:15 pm
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Local authorities share the accident response schedule
During a brief press conference yesterday (Jan. 3), Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam provided a brief timeline of the local authorities and medical response to Renner’s crash.
Balaam began, “Sunday morning at 8:55 a.m., a 911 call was received for a 10-50, or collision between a Snowcat and a pedestrian. The subject had been hit by a Snowcat in the area of Mt. Rose Highway.”
Elaborating on the weather and road conditions at the time, Balaam said: “The night before, we had seen about three feet of snow fall in the Mt Rose area, and several cars were abandoned on various roads, including the Mt Rose Hwy.
“Also, while it was not snowing at the time of the accident, Mt Rose Hwy was closed at that time due to severe winter weather, snow that had not yet been cleared from the road.”
Balaam shared that the first Washoe County Sheriff’s Unit arrived on the scene at 9:30 a.m., explaining that “the delay was a direct result of the weather, the traffic, moving around abandoned cars on the roadway , and the Mt Rose road closure.” .
He continued, “When the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office first unit arrived on scene, Truckee’s Meadows Fire Protection District and North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District were on scene .
“At 9.37am the alert flight landed in the vicinity of Mt Rose Hwy,” Balaam added. “At 9:56 a.m., Mr. Renner was airlifted to a Reno-area hospital.”
Inga Parkel January 4, 2023 6:45 p.m
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Everything we know about Jeremy Renner’s snowplow accident
Amidst all the chatter and confusion online about some of the facts of his accident, read Joe Sommerlad’s helpful article below.
(jeremyrenner/Instagram)
The Marvel star is recovering in a Nevada hospital after the ‘tragic’ incident on New Year’s Eve
Inga Parkel January 4, 2023 6:15 p.m
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Will Renner be able to walk?
Initial reports after the incident said that the actor had lost a large amount of blood from his leg after the snow plow ran over him.
While the extent and impact of his injuries are currently unknown, it has been shared that the actor suffered blunt force chest trauma and orthopedic injuries during the accident.
So far, he has undergone two surgeries to treat “extensive” injuries from the accident.
Inga Parkel January 4, 2023 5:50 pm
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Chris Evans says Renner is ‘tough as nails’
Renner’s Marvel co-star Chris Evans has also been added to the cast.
“Tough as nails. Love you buddy,” the Captain America star commented on Renner’s first Instagram post since the accident.
Inga Parkel January 4, 2023 5:20 pm
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Chris Platt and Chris Hemsworth lead the supporting cast of the co-star
After Jeremy Renner posted a selfie from his hospital bed, the star has been inundated with support from fans, colleagues and famous friends.
His Marvel co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pratt shared their tributes in the form of responses on Instagram.
“Get well soon friend. Sending love your way!” Hemsworth wrote the Thor star.
Meanwhile, Pratt, who plays Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, commented: “Keep the prayers going in your dirty way.”
Nicole Vassell January 4, 2023 4:05 pm
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Jeremy Renner is a “great neighbor,” says the local sheriff
In recent weeks, Jeremy Renner has become known in his Nevada neighborhood for helping out with the snow.
According to Sheriff Darin Balaam, the Hawkeye star is a “great neighbor” and always uses his snow plow to clear local roads.
“Throughout the community, he’s been very generous and he’s one of those people that most of the time you don’t know he’s doing it, but he’s had a huge impact on this community,” he told US media.
Nicole Vassell January 4, 2023 3:39 p.m
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What is a PistenBully?
Jeremy Renner’s injuries occurred after his PistenBully, a piece of snow plowing equipment, ran over him.
According to reports at the scene, Renner had been trying to rescue his car, which had become stuck in the snow. After getting in front of the PistenBully, the rugged snow blower started to roll and ran over it.
A PistenBully is said to weigh at least 6500kg, making it three times heavier than a standard car.
Nicole Vassell January 4, 2023 2:40 pm
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Jimmy Fallon and Paul Bettany among the stars sending support to Renner
Among those is Jimmy Fallon, who wrote that he replied: “Lots of love out there to you bud.”
Renner’s Marvel co-star Paul Bettany, who played Vision in the Avengers movies and WandaVision, wrote: “I love you mate. Sending you love and healing.”
Nicole Vassell January 4, 2023 2:01 p.m