Jeremy Renner: Avengers star thanks fans after being run over by snow plough

US actor Jeremy Renner has thanked fans for their support after he was seriously injured by his snow plough.

Sharing a picture of his bruised face on Instagram, Renner said he was "too messed up now to type".

The Avengers star was airlifted to hospital on Sunday after the accident outside his home in Reno, Nevada.

Renner was run over by his own snow plough, which weighs at least 14,330lb (6.5 tonnes) - three times as heavy as a car - the local sheriff said.

He suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries, his publicist said on Monday. At that time he was in a stable but critical condition in intensive care.

In an Instagram post from his hospital bed on Tuesday evening, Renner, 51, wrote: "Thank you all for your kind words. I'm too messed up now to type. But I send love to you all."

The incident happened after a new year storm left around 3ft of fresh snowfall on the ground, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said in a press conference.

A family member driving Renner's car had got stuck in the snow near his house, the sheriff said. Using his snow plough, Renner successfully towed the car free.

He then got out to talk to his relative, but the snow plough began to move while empty.

Renner was trying to get back into the driver's seat to stop it moving, when the "extremely large" piece of equipment ran him over, Mr Balaam said.

The PistenBully weighs at least 14,330lb, he said. The average weight of a car, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, is 4,289lb (2 tonnes).

"An eyewitness detailed seeing Mr Renner getting into the PistenBully and not seeing him again until the PistenBully came to a rest in a pile of snow in front of his driveway," Mr Balaam said.

Renner is a "great neighbour" and always uses his snow plough to clear local roads, the sheriff added.

"Throughout the community he has been very generous and he's one of those individuals that most of the time you don't know he's doing it, but he has made a tremendous impact on this community."

A number of Hollywood figures, including several of Renner's former Marvel co-stars, posted their well wishes after Renner's latest health update.

Commenting on the actor's Instagram post, Captain America star Chris Evans wrote: "Tough as nails. Love you buddy."

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt said he was sending "continued prayers your way brutha", while WandaVision actor Paul Bettany added: "Love you mate. Sending you love and healing."

Vanessa Hudgens, Heidi Klum and Orlando Bloom also sent messages of support, as talk show host Jimmy Fallon told Renner there was "lotsa love out there for you bud".

Thor star Chris Hemsworth commented: "Speedy recovery buddy. Sending love your way!" while Taika Waititi, who has directed two Thor films, said simply: "My brother I love you."

At least 60 people in eight states were killed in the new year snowstorm. A day after Renner's accident, news emerged that rally driving champion Ken Block was killed when his snowmobile flipped at his ranch in Utah.

Two-time Oscar nominee Renner is best known for his role as Clint Barton/Hawkeye in the Marvel cinematic universe, starring in several Avengers films and in the spin-off television series Hawkeye.

He was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor for his role in The Hurt Locker in 2008, and for best supporting actor in The Town in 2010.