Actor Jeremy Renner says horrific accident was 'my mistake'

Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Renner said he was at fault in a New Year's Day snowplough accident that left him close to death and that he had apologised to his family for putting them through the ordeal.

Renner, in an interview that aired in the United States on ABC network on Thursday, said he was driving the plough after using it to pull one of the family's trucks out of the snow and onto the pavement.

As the plough started to skid on ice, Renner said he became worried about the safety of his nephew, Alex, who had just unhooked the chains connecting the truck and the plough.

Renner stuck one foot out of the plough to look back at Alex and did not set the parking brake.

The actor then lost his footing and fell out of the plough's cab.