Communities hold candlelight vigils for injured MP Helen Haines

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 13:02 · Archive

MP Helen Haines, who lost both legs in an attack, is supported by candlelight vigils across Australia.

Australian communities held candlelight vigils on Friday evening to support independent MP Helen Haines following a violent attack. Haines lost both legs after being struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday afternoon. She is in critical but stable condition at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.

Constituent Brendan Nugent was arrested at the scene and remains before the courts. The Rural City of Wangaratta lit its town beacon amber as part of the nationwide vigil. Over 60 people gathered in Lismore for a candlelight vigil. Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said Haines was 'an amazing woman' and called the incident 'the most devastating of events'.

Haines' staff thanked people for messages of support from across Australia and globally, saying they were 'overwhelmed by the kindness shown by the community'. More than $730,000 has been raised for Save the Children Australia in Haines' honour. The Rural City of Wangaratta stated: 'This simple gesture reflects our community's compassion, solidarity, and rejection of violence'.

Communities hold candlelight vigils for injured MP Helen Haines — Image: The West Australian

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Helen Haines supported in nationwide candlelight vigilPhotos are circulating on social media of people gathering at candlelight vigils across the nation to support MP Helen Haines.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 12:32
Helen Haines supported in nationwide candlelight vigilPhotos are circulating on social media of people gathering at candlelight vigils across the nation to support MP Helen Haines.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 12:32

In this story: Helen Haines · Brendan Nugent · Wangaratta · The Alfred · Lismore · Janelle Saffin · Sam Mostyn · Save the Children Australia

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