Australian MP Helen Haines loses a leg after alleged car attack
Australian independent MP Helen Haines lost a leg after she was hit by a car outside her office in Wangaratta on Monday, the Guardian and ABC News reported. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a deliberate act. The man in custody was identified as Brendan Nugent, 43, and has not been charged.
Helen Haines, the independent member of Australia's parliament for Indi, lost a leg and remains in critical condition after she was hit by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday afternoon, the Guardian, ABC News and 7NEWS reported. The Guardian reported that surgeons are fighting to save her other leg.
Haines, 65, was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser on Murphy Street at about 3:30 PM local time while she was getting items from the back of her car, ABC News reported. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said witnesses described the driver making a U-turn into the car park, ramming her against her vehicle, then reversing and doing it a second time, ABC News reported. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it a "deliberate act," ABC News reported.
The driver was stopped by a member of the public and taken into custody soon after, ABC News reported. He has been identified as Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee, ABC News and 7NEWS reported. 7NEWS reported that he was held after a citizen's arrest and was expected to undergo a mental health assessment before police interview him. His motive remains unclear, 7NEWS reported.
The Australian Federal Police, the intelligence agency ASIO, Victoria Police and a joint counter-terrorism team are all involved in the investigation, 7NEWS reported. "At this stage it appears this is an isolated incident, and there are no known threats connected to this matter," AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said, according to 7NEWS. She said police were working to identify possible charges, which may include state and federal offenses, 7NEWS reported. No charge had been announced as of Tuesday.
Haines was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne and had surgery overnight, the Guardian reported. Her family thanked first responders and asked for privacy, ABC News reported. Politicians across parties condemned the alleged attack, the Guardian reported.
What we know: Haines lost a leg after being hit by a vehicle on Monday, and a 43-year-old man is in custody.
What we don't: The driver's motive, and what charges, if any, he will face.
Where outlets agree The Guardian, ABC News and 7NEWS report that Haines was critically injured when a vehicle hit her outside her Wangaratta office on Monday and that a man is in custody.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.