Australian lawmaker loses both of her legs in ‘targeted’ attack involving a vehicle

NewsTributes and flowers are placed outside the electoral office for independent member of parliament Helen Haines in Wangaratta, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (James Ross/AAPImage via AP)James Ross/AAPIMAGE via APAn Australian lawmaker had both of her legs amputated after she was allegedly struck by a vehicle outside her office, and a 43-year-old man has been charged with intentionally causing her serious injury.Brendan Nugent, of Tarrawingee, drove into lawmaker Helen Haines in Wangaratta, about 155 miles from Melbourne, on Monday, Reuters reported. Nugent allegedly hit Haines twice with his vehicle before witnesses restrained him and held him at the scene until police arrived and arrested him.Haines was taken to a hospital. On Wednesday, her husband, Phil Haines, said doctors first amputated her left leg while continuing to try to save her right leg. Those efforts were unsuccessful. She is in critical but stable condition.“The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable,” Phil Haines said during a news conference. “That is the most important thing for our family.”Nugent faces charges including causing harm to a public official, dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and cannabis cultivation and possession, Reuters reported.During a court appearance Wednesday, Nugent’s lawyer argued that his client has concerns about his mental health and suffered a concussion in the crash, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.Nugent’s father, Rod Nugent, and Rod Nugent’s partner, Christine Cunningham, said in a statement Tuesday that their family had been friends with Haines for more than 20 years and that they would cooperate fully with the investigation.“What happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable,” the two said in a statement provided to The Guardian. “We would like to sincerely thank members of the local community and police who came to Helen’s aid yesterday.”Australia’s counterterrorism unit is investigating. Authorities said no intelligence pointed to an impending attack. They said they believe Haines was specifically “targeted” and that the attack was isolated. Victoria police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said investigators are still trying to determine Nugent’s motive.“Motivation is one of these things that we absolutely need to explore,” Bush said. “His motivation for this, what we allege is a deliberate attack, is very much a centerpiece of the investigation.”Chris Franklin is an NFL reporter for NJ Advance Media, covering anything and everything that has to do with the team. Chris joined the Eagles beat in 2020, spending the previous three years covering local news...