A Nevada sheriff’s report obtained by CNN found that Jeremy Renner was actually trying to save his nephew when he got in a snowplow accident on New Year’s Day that nearly cost him his life. The Hawkeye actor was attempting to stop his snow-removal tractor from sliding and hitting his nephew when he was pulled under the vehicle and crushed.
Renner told investigators that he was using his snowcat vehicle to pull his nephew’s truck out of the snow when the snowplow suddenly started to slide sideways. The actor then exited the vehicle to try and stop the machine.
“Once he was off the Pistenbully, he realized it was heading directly toward (his nephew),” the report reads. “He feared the Pistenbully was going to hit (his nephew), so he decided to attempt to stop or divert the Pistenbully.”
In order to get back into the snowplow’s cab, Renner had to climb onto its moving track. The report notes that the moment he attempted to climb up, he was “immediately pulled under the left side track.” It’s also important to note that the parking brake on the snowcat was not engaged.
“Although the Pistenbully had some mechanical issues, it is believed based on our mechanical inspection that the parking brake would keep the Pistenbully from moving forward,” the report read. “When Renner attempted to stop or divert the Pistenbully to avoid injury to (his nephew), he was pulled under the vehicle by the track and run over.”
The report also stated that “mechanical issues may have been a factor in this accident” due to a malfunctioning brake indicator light.
It was ultimately good news that Renner’s nephew was there, though, as he was able to help the actor until help arrived. Renner was then airlifted to the hospital; he underwent at least two surgeries and was treated in the intensive care unit.
Renner has now returned to his home but is still recovering from the accident. He took to Twitter to thank all of his supporters for their love and support, revealing that he broke “30 plus” bones during the incident.
Carson Burton is a freelance news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter at @carsonsburton.