Actor Jeremy Renner returns to Renown Hospital to thank staff who helped save his life last year

RENO, Nev. (KRNV) — 'Avengers' actor and Reno resident Jeremy Renner returned to Renown Regional Medical Center Friday, where he spent weeks in January recovering after being run over by heavy snow plowing machinery near his Tahoe-area home.

But this time, Renner wasn't at the hospital to receive treatment. Instead, he was there to show his gratitude to the people who helped save his life.

Being able to see [Renner] walk back to the hospital to say hi to the team that took care of him, it's a gratifying moment for us. It's a validation of the hard work that the team puts in and the efforts that the team has done," Renown director of nursing Jimmy Lao said.

Renner was at the hospital's trauma center for weeks after the snowcat incident. According to Lao, it was uncertain for some time whether Renner would recover let alone walk again.

Renner broke more than 30 bones in the accident, but ultimately he was able to make a full recovery.

"It's closer to a miracle for us, just because of the severity of his injuries," Lao said.

Renner's visit Friday was brief, but impactful to staff, who were able to get photos and share hugs with the grateful actor.

"One of the best things about being a nurse and being a healthcare provider is being able to take care of a critically ill patient on the verge of death and seeing them [recovered] a year after their traumatic accident," Lao said.