Barber who helped Helen Haines shrugs off hero tag as MP remains in hospital

The barber who stepped in after independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly run down in Wangaratta says he does not want to be known as a hero.

Ricky Jefferies ran from his shop, which sits right next to Ms Haines's electorate office, to help after the incident. Ms Haines was allegedly rammed twice on Murphy Street in Wangaratta at about 4pm on Monday.

She is the federal member for Indi in Victoria's north-east and was critically injured outside her office. She was in a critical but stable condition on Tuesday morning. The Guardian

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said witnesses described the driver doing a U-turn before allegedly ramming Ms Haines against a vehicle, then reversing and ramming her a second time. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described what happened as a deliberate act of attack. Counter-terrorism police are investigating the attack of 19 October 2026, and a man was arrested near the office. ABC

Mr Jefferies had just finished cutting a young family's hair when the car hit Ms Haines. He said he took the driver out of the car and held him down while others helped her. He also alleged the driver had a knife, did not pull it out, but took it out of his pocket and threw it away.

He was back at work cutting hair at 7am on Tuesday. Wangaratta mayor Irene Grant said she spoke to him on Tuesday morning and described his action as brave. Mr Albanese praised Mr Jefferies as a hero and good Samaritan for rushing to Ms Haines's defence.