Australian MP Helen Haines Moves Out of Critical Condition After Attack That Cost Her Both Legs
The condition of Helen Haines, the independent Australian MP struck by a car outside her electorate office five days ago, has improved for the first time. The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne said on Saturday morning that Haines was now in a serious but stable condition, upgraded from critical.
Haines was hit on Monday afternoon on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, in north-east Victoria, near the boot of her own car outside her electorate office. Police say a white Toyota LandCruiser struck her at about 3.35pm in what authorities describe as a deliberate and targeted attack. She suffered critical injuries to her lower body and was airlifted to Melbourne for emergency surgery.
Doctors amputated her left leg on Monday and, after attempting to save the right leg on Tuesday, had to amputate it as well on Wednesday because of the severity of her injuries. Haines, 65, the federal member for Indi, has lost both legs. Her husband Phil Haines told reporters outside the Alfred on Wednesday that she had survived a "horrendous incident" and faced a long and difficult recovery. "The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she's stable," he said. "Both her heart and her mind are in good shape."
Victoria Police have charged Brendan Nugent, a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, over the incident. He faces charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. Police allege the attack was targeted and deliberate, and say a knife was seized from inside the vehicle. The driver was detained at the scene by a passerby before police arrived. He is expected to appear at the Wangaratta Magistrates' Court. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident as a deliberate act, and federal police and the domestic intelligence agency are examining the motive.
Haines, a former nurse, has held the rural Victorian seat of Indi as an independent. Her office said in a statement: "As Helen takes the time she needs to recover, we will take time to look after ourselves and one another, too. Healing will take time, and we ask for your understanding as we navigate the days and weeks ahead." Governor-General Sam Mostyn joined Phil Haines for Wednesday's hospital update, and colleagues across parliament sent messages of support.
Haines remains in the Alfred Hospital, now serious but stable after still being listed as critical on Friday morning. Her medical team will continue treatment and a long rehabilitation, while the criminal case and the investigation into motive move forward.