Helen Haines condition improves after alleged car attack
Updated . First published
The condition of MP Helen Haines has improved to serious but stable after being hit by a car outside her electoral office.
Haines, member for Indi in Victoria, was critically injured after being hit multiple times by a car allegedly driven by Brendan Nugent, 43, outside her electoral office in Wangaratta on Monday.
Helen Haines Federal MP at her office. Nine
The Alfred Hospital has confirmed that the 65-year-old is now in a serious but stable condition.
On Wednesday, Helen’s husband, Phil Haines, gave an emotional press conference where he confirmed his wife had lost both her legs following the alleged attack.
“We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but as of this morning, the surgeons had to also remove her right leg,” he said.
“She is a fighter. She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover,” he said.
Phil Haines had asked well-wishers to support the independent by donating to Save the Children rather than sending flowers.
In less than 24 hours after the plea, more than $985,000 has been raised to show support for Haines.
Haines’ chief of staff, Kaz Rourke, has shared the team’s devastation over what occurred in Wangaratta on Monday.
She said Haines is a “remarkable leader, a truly wonderful boss and someone we all care about deeply”, and is adored by her team.
“Most of us were in the office when the incident occurred and some of us were involved in Helen’s immediate care, so this has been deeply traumatic for the team,” she said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nugent fronted Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court, where he made no application for bail.
Police have laid additional charges on the 43-year-old for allegedly cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis.
During the brief appearance, the court heard details regarding Nugent’s medical background, including that he was suffering from a concussion as well as idiopathic transverse myelitis.
Nugent will remain behind bars for at least the next 100 days, with the matter adjourned for a committal hearing in Wangaratta on February 4.
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