Independent MP Helen Haines lost one leg and faces ongoing surgery to save the other following an alleged car attack in Wangaratta, northern Victoria. According to The Guardian, a man allegedly made a U-turn before striking Haines twice with his vehicle near her electorate office in what police are treating as a targeted attack.
Haines was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred hospital for emergency surgery on Monday night. She remains in critical yet stable condition.
The alleged attacker, named by The Guardian as Brendan Nugent, is accused of deliberately ramming the independent MP. The Guardian reports that Nugent's family say Haines has been their friend for more than 20 years, adding an unusual dimension to the case.
The Guardian also notes that a barber who rushed to help Haines was praised by the Prime Minister for his response, though the barber reportedly did not want to be known as a hero.
Haines represents the Victorian electorate of Indi and has served as an independent member of parliament.