Jeremy Renner says he is a “fortunate man” in his first interview since his near-fatal snowplow accident.

The Avengers star, 52, talked to ABC Information’s Diane Sawyer about being crushed by his 14,330-pound PistenBully or snowcat on New 12 months’s Day for a information particular airing on April 6. His nephew, whom the actor was attempting to save lots of because the snowcat began to roll on Renner’s Reno, Nev., property, additionally speaks out for the primary time.

Requested if he remembers the ache — of being pulled below the automobile by its monitor and run over — the actor who performs Hawkeye in Marvel movies and collection replied, “All of it. I used to be awake by means of each second.”

His nephew recalled seeing him “in a pool of blood” that was “coming from his head.” When he ran to him, “I didn’t assume he was alive.”

The Mayor of Kingstown star broke 30-plus bones within the accident. The 911 name was performed within the preview and Renner will be heard moaning in ache. A voice urged to “hold preventing.” He was airlifted to the hospital in vital, however secure situation, and recovered within the ICU.

Sawyer listed a few of Renner’s many accidents as he sat in a chair throughout from her amid his outstanding restoration.

“Eight ribs damaged in 14 locations,” she started. “Proper knee. Proper ankle damaged. Left leg tibia damaged. The left ankle damaged. Proper clavicle damaged. Proper shoulder damaged. Face eye socket, the jaw, the mandible damaged. Lung collapsed. Pierced from the rib bone, your liver, which sounds horrible.”

Renner, who underwent two surgical procedures after the accident, recalled considering, “What’s my physique going to appear like? Am I simply going to be a backbone and a mind like a science experiment?” Footage of his restoration confirmed the good strides he is made. Over the weekend, he shared a video of himself strolling on an anti-gravity treadmill. He is been documenting the journey, step-by-step, on Instagram.

Story continues

“I selected to outlive,” he stated of his battle again. “You are not going to kill me. No method.” Sawyer requested if he desires of doing his superhero stunts once more and he stated, “I’ve misplaced quite a lot of flesh and bone on this expertise, however I have been refueled and refilled with love and titanium.” He stated when he seems to be within the mirror, “I see a fortunate man.”

Regardless of his accidents, Renner stated he’d “do it once more,” which means attempt to leap again into the transferring snowcat to cease it, “trigger it was going proper at my nephew.” Nonetheless, he teared up being reminded that he used signal language within the hospital earlier than he may converse to inform his household, “I am sorry.”

The interview airs on ABC at 10 p.m. ET/PT on April 6 — 5 days earlier than Renner is predicted to seem in particular person on the Rennervations world premiere in L.A. on April 11. The actor will do a Q&A for the Disney+ present — which is about renovating automobiles — after the screening.

The snowplow that ran over Renner was initially taken by authorities after the accident to be examined — and it was returned final week. Based on the Washoe County Sheriff’s Workplace incident report launched in January, “mechanical points might have been an element on this accident.” Renner was clearing snow so he may free a member of the family’s “caught” automobile when the incident occurred.

“The Pistenbully snow groomer started sliding, inflicting Renner to exit the automobile with out setting the emergency brake,” the sheriff’s report acknowledged. “Though the Pistenbully had some mechanical points, it’s believed based mostly on our mechanical inspection that the parking brake would hold the Pistenbully from transferring ahead. When Renner tried to cease or divert the Pistenbully to keep away from harm to [his nephew], he was pulled below the automobile by the monitor and run over.”

Renner is a father of 1 and posted a tribute to his daughter, Ava, this week, as she turned 10. He stated her “hugs [and] love have healed me so extremely quick.”