Helen Haines live Updates: Haines lost both of her legs in the tragic attack

The Independent Federal MP for Indi, Australia, Helen Haines was attacked and lost both of her legs and is in a critical condition at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital after being struck by a vehicle twice..

News Source: https://www.smh.com.au/

After being hit by a car twice in an apparent targeted attack, Helen Haines, the independent federal MP for Indi, is in critical condition and lost both legs, at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital.

According to witnesses, a four-wheel drive car made an abrupt U-turn before purposefully running the 65-year-old congressman over twice. Emergency personnel were on the scene in a hurry. Dr. Haines was transported by air to a renowned trauma center located in Melbourne. Teams of surgeons battled on Tuesday to salvage her remaining leg but couldn’t save the leg and on 21 October 2026, her husband Phil Haines confirmed that she lost both legs. Her status is still critical yet stable.

Last night, hundreds of Haines supporters gathered to Wodonga for a prayer service. The attack on Haines struck at the core of Australian democracy, according to former independent MP for Indi Cathy McGowan, who told the gathering that women throughout the country feared for their safety and wondered if they could enter public life without encountering violence.

Brendan Nugent, 43, has been arrested by police at the Wangaratta police station. Nugent, a Tarrawingee native with a master's degree in forest ecosystems science, is recognized as a longtime forestry advocate. The investigation has been taken over by a joint counterterrorism unit, which claims that this seems to be a singular occurrence with no more significant ongoing risks. Serious charges, such as the crime of causing injury to a Commonwealth officer, which has a maximum sentence of ten years in jail, are presently being finalized by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police.

On Monday, October 19, 2026, at around 3:35 PM, the incident took place outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria.

The incident shows the growing concerns about public officials' safety; according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), there have been 1,067 registered security incidents in the past year, a sharp increase in threats and harassment directed at politicians. In support of the well-liked regional MP, Wangaratta locals staged a community prayer vigil at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral.

FAQs:

Q: Who is Helen Haines?

A: Helen Haines is the independent federal MP for Indi, Australia.

Q: What happened to Helen Haines?

A: On Monday, October 19, 2026, at around 3:35 PM, The Independent Federal MP for Indi, Australia, Helen Haines. After being hit by a car twice in an apparent targeted attack, she has lost both legs and in critical condition at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital.

Q: What is Helen Haines’s current medical condition?

A: At Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, her status is critical but stable. On Monday night, she was taken to the hospital, where doctors had to amputate one of her legs. And later amputate other one as they couldn’t save it.

Q: Who attacked Helen Haines?

A: Brendan Nugent, 43, has been arrested by police at the Wangaratta police station. Nugent, a Tarrawingee native with a master's degree in forest ecosystems science, is recognized as a longtime forestry advocate.

Q: Who stopped the vehicle during the attack on Helen Haines?

A: Rick Jefferies, a local barber, as an amazing illustration of the courageous Australian spirit for rushing into danger to stop the vehicle.