Follow-Up: Australian MP Helen Haines Loses a Leg After Car Attack, Doctors Fighting to Save the Other; Still Critical
MELBOURNE — Australian independent MP Helen Haines has lost one leg and doctors are fighting to save the other after she was deliberately struck by a car outside her electorate office, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and The Sydney Morning Herald reported; she remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Haines, 65, is the federal member for Indi in Victoria. At about 3:30 p.m. local time on Monday, October 19, she was standing at the trunk of her car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta when a Toyota LandCruiser made a U-turn and rammed into her, pinning her between two vehicles. She was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne and underwent surgery overnight.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on television on Tuesday, October 20, that he had spoken with Haines's husband Phil the previous night, that she had undergone surgery overnight and remained in a critical condition; he called the attack 'a test of our character' and reiterated that 'it's clear this was a deliberate act.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke earlier said witnesses reported the vehicle reversed after the first impact and struck Haines a second time.
The 43-year-old male driver was restrained at the scene by bystanders: local barber Ricky Jefferies pulled him from the vehicle and took a knife from his pocket, holding him until police arrived. Victoria Police said they have not yet released the driver's name or a motive and have not laid charges. Local media have named the man as Brendan Nugent, which police have not confirmed.
A Joint Counter Terrorism Team comprising Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is investigating. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators are considering charges including causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Police said the incident appears isolated at this stage. Political violence is rare in Australia, though law enforcement has documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed at elected officials in recent years.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：墨尔本 Alfred 医院，Haines 被直升机送至该院抢救（资料图），公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。Photo: The Alfred hospital in Melbourne, where Haines was airlifted for treatment (file photo), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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