Helen Haines' husband says Australian lawmaker has had both legs amputated after alleged car attack

Phil Haines announced on Wednesday, October 21, that his wife, Australian lawmaker Helen Haines, had both legs amputated after she was struck by a car. Haines, 65, is an independent member of the Australian parliament, which means she is not part of a major political party.

The incident happened at about 3:30pm on October 18 on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, Victoria, outside Haines's electorate office. An electorate office is the local base that serves the area a member of parliament represents. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack as apparently deliberate, and said on October 19 that Haines was critically injured.

Police have charged a 43-year-old man, Brendan Nugent, with three offences, and he has faced court. Victoria Police described the attack as targeted. According to the allegations, Haines was standing at the rear of her car outside her office when the driver of a white Toyota LandCruiser drove into her, then reversed and allegedly drove into her a second time. Witnesses alleged that the vehicle repeatedly rammed into her.

NBC News reported that Haines was in critical but stable condition after the attack, which authorities said was deliberate.

The charges against Nugent are allegations, and the court process is continuing.