Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has lost both legs after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in what her husband called a “horrendous incident.”
Phil Haines shared an update on his wife’s condition during a press conference in Melbourne on Oct. 21.
“The good news in all this is that Helen is alive and she’s stable. That is the most important thing for our family,” Phil said, according to The Associated Press. “We are grateful and thankful that at this stage, both her heart and her mind are in good shape.”
Brendan Nugent Taken Into Custody After Helen Haines Struck By LandCruiser
The independent politician was outside her office in Wangaratta at about 3:35 p.m. on Oct. 19 when police say she was hit by a Toyota LandCruiser driven by 43-year-old Brendan Nugent. According to The AP, Nugent allegedly pinned the 65-year-old against her own vehicle before reversing and striking her a second time.
Bystanders pulled Brendan from the vehicle before he was taken into custody, according to the BBC. He faces charges of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, a federal offense in Australia, Australian outlet ABC News reported. He has not yet entered a plea.
Witnesses rushed to Helen’s aid while they waited for emergency responders to arrive.
“She was thanking us,” witness Jacklyn Black told Nine News. “It was incredible.”
Black’s partner, Jacob Evans, retrieved a tourniquet from his bag and used it in an effort to control the bleeding.
“I threw the tourniquet on the leg that was most damaged,” Evans told Nine’s Today. “We took anything from our surroundings that we could to help us.”
Another witness, Cody Lepoivedin, said Helen was “very distraught” but managed to remain composed until paramedics reached the scene.
Helen was taken to surgery, where doctors amputated one of her legs. Her second leg was removed during a later operation after medical staff determined it could not be saved, her husband said.
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Phil said his wife now faces a “long and difficult” recovery, coming just weeks before the couple is due to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
“She is a determined person who will do her best, with our support and love, to recover,” he said, per the BBC. “And that is what we hope for.”
Brendan Nugent’s Attorney Says He May Be Struggling With Mental Health Issues
Brendan appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on the morning of Oct. 21 but has not yet entered a plea to the charges.
His attorney, Chirag Patel, told the court that Brendan may have mental health issues, although he has never received a formal diagnosis, according to The AP.
The defense lawyer also said Brendan was dealing with a concussion and a neurological condition known as idiopathic transverse myelitis. The Mayo Clinic describes transverse myelitis as inflammation on both sides of the spinal cord that can damage nerve fibers.
He remains in custody without bond.
Authorities Have Not Announced Motive in Helen Haines Crash
Authorities have not identified a motive in the alleged attack. Investigators are examining every possibility, including whether it may have been politically motivated, CBS News reports.
“We’re examining social media associations,” Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush told reporters, adding that investigators were also speaking with “witnesses, friends and colleagues.”
Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn urged the public during the Oct. 21 press conference to take a “moment for us to pause, and to choose to be better” as Helen continues her recovery.
“We should do what I imagine Helen would be doing if she was not the victim of this terrible attack—reaching out to those who are terribly distressed by what has happened,” Mostyn said, per the BBC.”Most importantly, that we learn or re-learn to exercise our muscle of decency.”
