New information is surfacing regarding the Jan. 1 near-fatal accident involving an overturned snowplow and actor Jeremy Renner.
Early reports indicated Renner was plowing his driveway on New Year’s Day after heavy snowfall the night before. Renner stopped the vehicle and exited the snowcat snowplow when someone came outside to speak with him — and injured when the 14,000 snowcat overturned as he reentered the vehicle.
Recent reports paint a different picture. It seems Renner became injured while attempting to keep his nephew out of harm’s way.
According to a Nevada sheriff’s office incident report, the accident occurred while Renner was using his Pistenbully snowcat to tow his nephew’s snowed-in truck out of his driveway.
Renner pulled the truck out of the driveway without incident; however, after detaching from the truck, the snowcat began “sliding sideways.”
According to the recently released incident report, the snowcat “began to roll down the hill,” prompting Renner to jump out of the vehicle. In his hurry to exit, Renner did not set the emergency brake.
The report notes that Renner immediately realized the sliding snowplow was heading 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.”
Renner attempted to enter the snowplow’s cab, but that required climbing onto a track, which was in motion. The report notes that as Renner attempted to enter the cab, he was “immediately pulled under the left side track.”
The report notes what happened next:
“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. 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.”
CNN noted that a neighbor called 911, reporting that Renner had been “completely crushed under a large snowcat,” adding that “the right side of his chest … collapsed – upper torso is crushed.”
The 911 call notes the intensity of the moments that followed, with the emergency operator attempting to verify address and contact information and the caller noting concern for Renner’s life.
The operator said, “I need the address of the emergency, please,” the Daily Mail reported.
“I told you,” the frustrated neighbor responded.
“I know, I just need to verify it. What is the phone number that you’re calling from. What is the phone you’re calling from, just in case we get disconnected.”
“Listen to me,” the neighbor interjected. “You might want to get lifeline out here immediately.”
The neighbor added: “He’s got a headwound as well. Can you give me an ETA?”
The 911 operator replied: “It’s hard to give an ETA just because the snow on the mountain I don’t know how quick they’re able to go. How’s he doing?”
With concern in his voice, the neighbor responded: “Shallow breath, a lot of pain; he’s conscious we have him covered in blankets, his head’s covered; he’ll be drifting off.”
The 911 operator requested clarification: “Is he starting to kind of drift off into sleep?”
“Yeah,” the neighbor responded.
Emergency responders arrived approximately 20 minutes later as many roads were closed due to heavy snow. Renner was airlifted by helicopter from his home in Reno, Nevada, to Renown Regional Medical Center.
Last weekend Renner said he hoped the “30 plus broken bones will mend, grow stronger, just like the love and bond with family and friends deepens.”
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