Australian Lawmaker Helen Haines L0ses Both Legs After ‘Targeted’ Car Att∆ck, Remains in Crit!cal Condition 

Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amp¥tated after she was allegedly deliberately r@mmed by a car outside her electorate office in Victoria.

Haines, 65, remains in critical condition in hospital following the incident on Monday afternoon in Wangaratta, northeastern Victoria.

Her husband of nearly 40 years, Phil Haines, disclosed the development during a press conference at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne on Wednesday.

“Helen’s left leg was amp¥tated on Monday. We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but,the surgeons had to also remove her right leg,” he said.

However, he expressed relief that she had survived, adding, “But the good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable.”

The lawmaker was reportedly unpacking items from the trunk of her parked vehicle when a man driving a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly drove past, turned around and r@mmed her into her car. The motive remains unclear.

A local barber reportedly intervened, pulling the driver from the vehicle and detaining him until police arrived. Haines was subsequently airlifted to Melbourne for emergency surgery.

The suspect, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday, facing charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. His lawyer told the court he had a rare neurological condition and was not taking medication. No bail application was made, and the case was adjourned until February 4.

Australia’s Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, said the attack had left the country shocked.

“Australia is still reeling with the shock and distress of this terrible attack,” she said, adding that Victorians were struggling to comprehend the scale of this tragedy.