Helen Haines, an Australian member of parliament, is currently in critical but stable condition after being deliberately struck by a car on Monday afternoon outside her office in Wangaratta, her family reports.
The 65-year-old independent MP survived what her husband, Phil Haines, described as a “horrific incident” and faces a long recovery ahead, as shared in statements on Wednesday.
Surgeons attempted to save her right leg on Tuesday; however, both legs had to be amputated due to the severity of her injuries.
“The good news in all of this is that Helen is alive and in stable condition. That is the most important thing for our family. When we reflect and think about Helen, what is most important to us are her heart and mind,” her partner stated. “At this moment, we are grateful that both her heart and mind are well,” he added.
Authorities believe that Monday’s incident targeting the MP was intentional. A 43-year-old man, Brendan Nugent, has been arrested in connection with the crash.
Nugent faces charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentional injury, and assaulting a Commonwealth public official. He appeared in Wangaratta Court on Wednesday and is set to return to court in February.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with politicians across the federal parliament, expressed shock and outrage at the alleged attack on Haines.
Mike Burgess, head of Australia’s intelligence services, issued a statement warning that rising levels of “discontent, intolerance, and polarization continue to foster a permissive environment for violence” in the country.
