Helen Haines's condition has improved from critical to serious but stable, Melbourne's Alfred hospital said on Saturday. She lost both legs after the alleged car attack outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. Read the earlier story: both legs amputated, accused in court
Australian independent MP Helen Haines has improved from critical to serious but stable condition, the Alfred hospital in Melbourne said on Saturday morning, in the first improvement since she was airlifted to the hospital five days ago.
Source: SBS News
The 65-year-old member for Indi was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in north-east Victoria, on Monday afternoon. Police allege the attack was deliberate. Surgeons amputated both of her legs, and she had been in a critical condition since the incident.
Her husband, Phil Haines, has described her as a fighter and said the family was grateful that she was alive, with her heart and mind in good shape. A social media update from her office on Friday said her staff were working to reopen her electorate offices next Thursday, and that well-wishers had raised more than 730,000 Australian dollars for the charity Save the Children in her honour — yaani about 7.3 lakh Australian dollars.
Source: The Guardian
Police have charged Brendan Nugent, 43, from nearby Tarrawingee, with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. He appeared at Wangaratta Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and remains in custody. Police say a motive has not yet been established, and the investigation is ongoing.
Source: Associated Press
The alleged attack has shocked politicians across Australia and renewed debate about the safety of elected officials and the tone of political discourse. A community vigil for Haines was held in Wodonga on Wednesday evening.