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Australian MP loses both legs in vehicle attack as suspect appears in court
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- Australian independent MP Helen Haines had both legs amputated after being deliberately hit twice by a car outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne.
- Doctors were able to save only her left leg initially, but the right leg had to be amputated later, with her husband confirming she is stable and alive.
- The suspect, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in court charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, causing harm to a public official, and cannabis-related offenses.
- Nugent’s lawyer stated he suffers from a rare neurological condition and is recovering from a concussion; police continue to investigate the motive with no current intelligence indicating a specific threat to Haines.
- Haines, a former nurse and academic, has represented the rural seat of Indi since 2019, and while attacks on politicians are rare in Australia, concerns over rising threats and abuse against officials have increased recently.
