Helen Haines loses a leg after alleged deliberate vehicle attack in Victoria

OTN Bangla Desk: Independent federal MP Helen Haines has lost a leg following an alleged deliberate vehicle attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northeastern Victoria.

The ABC confirmed on Tuesday morning, 20 October, that the Indi MP had lost one leg. She underwent surgery on Monday night and remains in a critical condition at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital.

The incident occurred at approximately 3.35pm on Monday on Murphy Street. Haines was reportedly retrieving items from the boot of her car when a Toyota LandCruiser allegedly struck her.

Witnesses said the driver performed a U-turn before hitting Haines, then reversed and struck her a second time. She suffered severe lower-body injuries and was later airlifted to Melbourne for emergency treatment.

Brendan Nugent, a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, was arrested following the incident. He had not been formally charged as of Tuesday morning. A local barber and other bystanders intervened to restrain him before police took him into custody.

Some media reports have raised concerns about Haines’s remaining leg, but no confirmed medical information about that outcome has been released.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett described the incident on Tuesday morning as isolated, saying authorities were not aware of any associated threats.

She said Victoria Police and the AFP were working together to determine potential charges under state and Commonwealth laws. These could include causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, an offence she said carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as deliberate, saying preliminary investigations indicated the vehicle had made a U-turn before striking Haines.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances and motive behind the alleged attack.