Australian lawmaker Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged car attack

Wangaratta, Australia. Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines has undergone amputations of both legs after an alleged car attack outside her electoral office on Monday, her husband said on Wednesday. The man accused appeared in court the same day.

Husband gives update on her condition

Phil Haines told reporters in Melbourne that the alleged attacker had hit his wife twice with a car in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne. Her left leg was amputated, and doctors spent days trying unsuccessfully to save her right leg, he said.

“The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable. That is the most important thing for our family,” he said.

Haines remains critically ill. As an independent lawmaker, she has advocated on issues including regional housing and climate change.

Accused faces multiple charges

Brendan Nugent, 43, lives in Tarrawingee, a rural town within Haines’ electorate. He faces three charges relating to the alleged attack: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and harming a public official.

Court documents also list charges involving cannabis possession and cultivation.

Members of the public restrained the suspect at the scene, and he was subsequently arrested. Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, a rare instance of violence against an elected official.

Lawyer raises health concerns

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that, during Wednesday’s brief hearing, Nugent’s lawyer told the court his client had idiopathic transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition, and was receiving treatment for concussion.

The lawyer also told the magistrate that Nugent had some mental health concerns and had never previously been in custody.

No bail application was made. Further proceedings were postponed until February 4.