Jeremy Renner.Photo: ABC News

Jeremy Renner to open up in exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer

Jeremy Rennersays he wrote notes in his phone that would have served as “my last words to my family” while in the hospital following hisJan. 1 snowplow accident.

“If I was there, on my own, that would’ve been a horrible way to die,” Renner told Sawyer in the clip shared onGMA. “And surely, I would’ve. Surely. But I wasn’t alone — [I was with] my nephew. Sweet Alex. And the rest of the calvary came.”

Previously released footage from Renner’s upcoming exclusive interview with Sawyer featured the actor’s nephew, who told Sawyer that he “could just perfectly see” Renner, 52, “in a pool of blood coming from his head” followingthe incident in whichthe actor risked his life for his family member.

Diane Sawyer and Jeremy Renner.ABC News

Jeremy Renner to open up in exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer

“And I ran up to him … you know, I didn’t think he was alive,” the actor’s nephew added, getting visibly and audibly emotional. While speaking with Sawyer, Renner insistedthat he’d “do it again"in a heartbeat.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“You’d do it again?” she asked, incredulous, to which he responded, “Yeah, I’d do it again. ‘Cause [the snowplow] was going right at my nephew.”

When asked whether he remembers the pain, Renner said: “Oh, all of it. I was awake through every moment.”

After Sawyer reviewed his list of injuries — which includedmore than 30 broken bones— she asked him about the moment he said “I’m sorry” to his family in sign language when he couldn’t speak following his accident.

Jeremy Renner.Jesse Grant/Getty

Jeremy Renner attends the Hawkeye Los Angeles Launch Event at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on November 17, 2021.

“Yeah … " theHawkeyeactor replied after a pause, growing emotional as he turned his head away.

Renner added that he “chose to survive,” saying: “You’re not gonna kill me. No way.”

TheNew Year’s Dayaccident resulted in Renner suffering “blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries” and breaking 30-plus bones, requiring him toundergo multiple surgeriesas a result.

He was initially left in"critical but stable condition"after his snowplow (said to weigh at least 14,330 lbs.) ran him over while he washelping a family member get a “stuck” vehicleout of the snow.

Jeremy Renner: The Diane Sawyer Interviewairs Thursday, April 6, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT on ABC News.

source: people.com