Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged targeted car attack
publishers 60articles 93first reported 19 Oct, 09:15 UTCdeveloping since 19 Oct · 10 editions
Australian federal lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after she was struck by a car in what police allege was a targeted attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Haines, 65, was injured on Monday and underwent surgery that night. Doctors amputated her left leg and later removed her right after efforts to save it were unsuccessful. Her husband, Phil Haines, said on Wednesday that the independent MP was alive and stable but faced a long recovery.
“The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable,” he told reporters at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital. “We are grateful at this stage that both her heart and her mind are in good shape.”
Police charged 43-year-old Brendan Nugent with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail. Police said the incident appeared deliberate and isolated, while the motive remained under investigation. Counterterrorism officers are among the agencies involved in the inquiry.
Witnesses said a local barber, Ricky Jefferies, ran from his shop, removed a knife from the alleged driver’s pocket and restrained him until police arrived. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other Australian political leaders expressed shock and anger over the attack, while federal security agencies briefed lawmakers about their safety.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 60 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 60
- Source articles
- 93
- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 60 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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