Australian barber hailed for helping MP struck by car

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 08:20 · Archive

An Australian barber intervened after an MP was struck by a car, allegedly deliberately, in a small town.

A barber in Wangaratta, Australia has been widely praised after intervening when independent MP Helen Haines was struck by a car. Ricky Jefferies was finishing haircuts for a family when he heard a loud bang outside his shop on Monday afternoon. He ran out to find that a man in a Toyota LandCruiser had hit Haines. The Mirror reports that she was struck twice and has lost a leg; she remains in critical condition at hospital after undergoing surgery overnight.

Jefferies said he removed a knife from the alleged attacker's pocket and pulled him from the vehicle, then held him down until police arrived. 'It was crazy, I just ran out the front to see what was happening,' he told reporters. He described his actions as necessary rather than heroic, saying he 'had no choice' given the danger of the situation, with the car still running and the driver still inside.

Authorities allege the driver, a 43-year-old man, performed a U-turn before striking Haines as she was loading or unloading items from her car boot. Counterterrorism authorities are among multiple agencies involved in the investigation, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

How it is being reported

• Barber refuses to be called hero after rushing to help Australia MP Helen Haines who was mowed down by carRicky Jefferies raced over to help MP Helen Haines after she was allegedly twice rammed by a driver - she remains in hospital and was said to be in a critical condition and has lost one leg inThe Mirror · 20 Oct, 08:00
• Australia hails hero barber who intervened during alleged attack on MP Helen HainesJefferies was just finishing up a family’s cuts when he heard a loud bang outside his shop and rushed outIndependent World · 20 Oct, 05:49

In this story: Helen Haines · Ricky Jefferies · Wangaratta · Australia · Anthony Albanese

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem