MP Helen Haines hit by car in suspected deliberate attack

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 20 Oct, 09:31 · Archive

Australian federal MP Helen Haines lost a leg after being struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta on Monday; a 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

Independent MP Helen Haines was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east Victoria, on Monday afternoon. According to reports, she was hit several times by the vehicle. The 65-year-old underwent emergency surgery in Melbourne overnight and remains in critical condition, having lost a leg.

Brendan Nugent, 43, from Tarrawingee near Wangaratta, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. Counterterrorism authorities are investigating the incident. No charges had been laid as of Tuesday morning. A witness present at the scene said Nugent appeared more concerned about his personal belongings than the incident itself whilst locals detained him until police arrived.

Nugent had previously been an active environmental campaigner in the area, including involvement with the Save Our Strathbogie Forest group. He had supported Haines during her 2019 federal election campaign and followed an X account under his name that Haines herself followed. His father, Rod Nugent, and partner, Christine Cunningham, released a statement saying the attack was 'devastating and unfathomable' and that Haines had been a family friend for more than 20 years.

How it is being reported

• Accused LandCruiser driver who 'rammed MP Helen Haines outside her office and severed her leg' is chargedPolice late on Tuesday charged Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent (above) over the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 10:17
• Brendan Nugent charged over alleged attack on Helen HainesVictoria police arrested the 43-year-old Tarrawingee man on Monday afternoon after the incident in Wangaratta Helen Haines’ alleged attacker, Brendan Nugent, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally cause serious injury and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He will be held overnight to appear at Wangaratta magistrates’ court on Wednesday, Victoria police confirmed in a statement . Continue reading...Guardian World · 20 Oct, 09:52
• Who is Brendan Nugent? Suspect in attack on Australian MP Helen Haines as parents say they are ‘family friends’Police said a 43-year-old suspect had been arrested following the incident in Wangaratta, northeast of MelbourneIndependent World · 20 Oct, 09:16
• Local who came to Helen Haines' aid reveals suspect's chilling reaction after the deliberate attack on the MP: 'He was more worried about his personal belongings'Nugent, 43, was arrested on Monday afternoon after Haines was hit several times by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta in north-east Victoria.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 05:48
• Inside the social media account linked to Helen Haines' accused attacker - that was followed by the politician before she was run downBrendan Nugent, 43, was arrested outside Haines electorate office on Monday afternoon.Daily Mail · 20 Oct, 01:58

In this story: Helen Haines · Brendan Nugent · Wangaratta · Victoria · Indi

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