Terrorism Around the World > Politician loses both legs in vehicular attack in Melbourne

 

Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after ramming attack

By Darryl Coote

Tributes and flowers are seen for independent federal Member of Parliament Helen Haines at her electoral office in Wangaratta, Australia, on Tuesday. File Photo by James Ross/EPA

Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Australian independent Member of Parliament Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after she was struck by an SUV outside her office earlier this week, her husband said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, Phil Haines said Helen Haines' left leg was amputated on Monday and that they had hoped to save her right leg, but surgeons were forced to amputate it Wednesday.

"But the good news in all of this is Helen is alive and she's stable," he said during the press conference. "That is the most important thing for our family. And I think when we reflect and talk about and think about Helen, the two most important parts of Helen for us as a family are her heart and her mind."

He said "her heart is huge" and she has "the sharpest intellect."

"We are grateful and thankful that at this stage both her heart and her mind are in good shape," he said.

He said her road to recovery will be difficult, while calling her "a fighter."

"She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for."

Helen Haines, 65, was struck Monday at about 3:35 p.m. local time by a Toyota LandCruiser near her Wangaratta, Victoria, office. She was transported to a hospital in critical condition before being airlifted to Melbourne, where she underwent emergency surgery.

A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was restrained by a member of the public at the scene and then taken into police custody. Victoria Police announced in a statement Tuesday night that the suspect was charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Australian news organizations, including public broadcaster ABC News, identified him as Brendan Nugent.

Authorities allege the incident, which remains under investigation, was targeted.

Nugent appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates' Court earlier Wednesday. He did not request bail and will remain in custody until a Feb. 4 committal mention hearing, The Guardian reported.

According to Grok:

Nugent has been described in reporting as a local environmental/anti-logging activist; his family stated he had known Haines for over 20 years and called the events devastating and incomprehensible.⁠Aapnews.aap