Australian MP Helen Haines struck by car outside office

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 09:50 · Archive

Independent MP Helen Haines was struck by a vehicle outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, Victoria, and is in critical condition.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that independent MP Helen Haines was struck by a vehicle outside her Wangaratta electoral office on Monday afternoon. The 65-year-old was hit by a white Toyota Landcruiser at approximately 3:35pm on Murphy Street whilst retrieving items from her car boot.

Haines sustained severe lower body injuries and was taken to hospital in critical condition. The Daily Mail reports that she may have lost her leg, and that she was to be airlifted to Melbourne for further treatment. A local barber reportedly pulled the driver from the vehicle and wrestled him to the ground.

Victoria Police arrested a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee at the scene. A knife was located in the vehicle and seized by police. The statement from police said: 'At this stage, police are investigating as to whether this was an intentional act. It is not known yet if the parties are known to each other.'

The Daily Mail reports that police are treating the incident as a suspected targeted attack, citing witness accounts that the driver appeared to pass Haines before performing a U-turn and driving back to strike her. However, this account is not corroborated by other outlets.

Albanese confirmed that the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Joint Counter Terrorism Team have been activated. He stated: 'There is a major police investigation underway... the motive is not known.' A crime scene was declared outside Haines' office on Murphy Street, which was closed to the public.

Haines' family released a statement: 'This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care. We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response. Our family, and Helen's staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media.'

Haines, who has represented the federal seat of Indi since 2019, worked as a nurse, midwife and health researcher before entering politics. Nationals frontbencher Michael McCormack wrote on social media: 'Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery. Such awful news.'

How it is being reported

• Australian politician critically injured after being struck by car outside her officeIndependent MP Helen Haines is fighting for life after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in northeast Victoria, Australia.New York Post · 19 Oct, 09:57
• Australian MP hit by car outside office as driver arrestedMP Helen Haines is in a critical condition following the incident in Wangaratta, northeast of MelbourneIndependent World · 19 Oct, 09:39
• Australian MP Helen Haines hit by car and severely injured in ‘targeted attack’MP Helen Haines remains in hospital following the incident in Wangaratta, regional Victoria, as the attack is being investigated by counter-terror officersThe Mirror · 19 Oct, 09:24
• Helen Haines updates: Independent MP injured in incident outside regional Victoria officeThe independent MP Helen Haines has been injured in an incident involving a vehicle outside of her electorate office in Wangaratta, in regional Victoria . Follow updates Nationals frontbencher Michael McCormack , whose electorate shares a border with Haines’ has written on social media: Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery. Such awful news. Continue reading...Guardian World · 19 Oct, 09:04
• Australian MP left with severe injuries after being struck by car outside officeAn Australian MP has been injured in a serious road accident outside her electoral office, according to reports. Independent MP Helen Haines is believed to have been severely injured outside her office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, according to 7News. Emergency services are understood to have been called to the scene at around 3.30pm Monday afternoon (5.30am BST). Ms Haines is believed to have been getting things out of the boot of her car at the time of the incident, sustaining severe injuries to her lower body. Murphy Street remains closed to the public. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say…GB News · 19 Oct, 08:58
• Federal MP Helen Haines rushed to hospital after being hit by a car outside her officeVictorian Independent MP Helen Haines was injured after being struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electoral office on Murphy Street at 3:30pm Monday afternoon.Daily Mail · 19 Oct, 08:26

In this story: Helen Haines · Anthony Albanese · Wangaratta · Victoria · Australian Federal Police · Victoria Police · ASIO

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