Jeremy Renner Recalls A Snow Plough Accident, Saying, "I've Lost A Lot Of Flesh And Bone"

In an interview with ABC News, the actor, who suffered more than 30 fractured bones after being run over by a 14,000-pound plough in January, revealed his gruelling recuperation.

Jeremy Renner, the actor who was gravely injured on Jan. 1 when a huge snow plough ran over him, claimed in a TV interview on Thursday night that the vehicle hit him when he was trying to save his nephew, an accident that broke more than 30 of his bones and turned his life upside down.

Mr. Renner, an Oscar-nominated actor best known for his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Avengers film and TV franchise, spoke publicly for the first time in an interview with ABC News about his terrifying experience and long rehabilitation.

"I've lost a lot of flesh and bone in this experience," Mr. Renner told Diane Sawyer, a journalist. "However, I've been refuelled and replenished with love and titanium."

Mr. Renner appeared to be in disbelief over what had happened to him during the interview, and he struggled to fight back tears at times when he recalled incidents after the disaster, such as the moment he told his family from the hospital in sign language, "I'm sorry."

Mr. Renner, who has since been released from the hospital, said he used to wonder, "What's my body like? "Am I going to be a spine and a brain as a science experiment?" Mr. Renner claimed he wrote a goodbye note to his family on his phone while in serious condition.

Before the broadcast, the network also featured clips of Mr. Renner in various stages of his recuperation, showing him in a wheelchair doing leg exercises. In a video released on Twitter, he can be seen completing an exercise that helps him regain the power to walk. Mr. Renner is shown in another video dated January 5 in the hospital, his face swollen and bruised.

Mr. Renner, 52, was using his snow plough, which weighs more than 14,000 pounds, to tow his car on a snowed-in private road near his house in Reno, Nev., on Jan. 1, according to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. A family member was driving the automobile when it became trapped.

Mr. Renner got off the plough after they successfully towed the automobile, which then began to roll, according to the sheriff's office. According to the sheriff's office, Mr. Renner attempted to get back into the plough's driver's seat to stop the moving vehicle, but he was ran over.

Mr. Renner told ABC News that as he took a risky leap back into the driver's seat, the fast-moving tracks pushed him forward, and the weight of the steel tracks crushed him. He remembered screaming, "Not today," with an expletive at the time.

He claimed there was no snow to soften the blow, only freezing tarmac beneath him and the rolling plough on top. His toes, legs, and torso were crushed by the machine. One of his eyes had been seriously wounded and had bulged out of its socket.

Mr. Renner stated, "I believe I could see my eye with my other eye."

During the mishap, he appeared to have skirted the wheels, the heaviest component of the plough, according to ABC News.

Mr. Renner struggled to express the magnitude of his grief, adding that "it felt like someone took the wind out of you" and that his soul was in torment.

Mr. Renner stated that he would go through the ordeal again because the plough was "going right at my nephew," who is 27 years old.

The nephew, who was not hurt, told ABC News that he saw "a pool of blood" gushing from his uncle's head.

The nephew approached a neighbour and requested assistance. This neighbour dialled 911.

In a 911 call tape, a neighbour can be heard saying of Mr. Renner, "He's been crushed."

Mr. Renner can be heard moaning in the background of the conversation as the man who called 911 adds, "There's a lot of blood over here," and encourages Mr. Renner, "Keep breathing, man; keep fighting." "Stay strong, brother."

The severe winds eventually stopped long enough for a helicopter to land near the accident site and fly Mr. Renner to a hospital.

Mr. Renner and his family were informed of the entire extent of his injuries, which included dozens of shattered bones, including eight ribs, his right knee, ankle, and shoulder; a collapsed lung; and a rib bone piercing his liver.

Metal was used to rebuild his rib cage. His eye socket was reconstructed using metallic plates. In addition, a titanium rod and screws were implanted in his leg.

Doctors questioned by ABC News stated Mr. Renner's physical fitness and health likely contributed to his survival. Mr. Renner is starting to acquire enough strength to walk with a cane around 10 weeks after the injury.

When asked if he sees the same face when he looks in the mirror, Mr. Renner responded, "I see a lucky man."