Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after she was allegedly struck by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, regional Victoria. The 65-year-old underwent surgery overnight and was later airlifted to Melbourne for further treatment.
Haines was standing behind a parked car on Murphy Street at about 3.30pm on Monday when she was hit by another vehicle travelling along the road, police said. She was pinned between the LandCruiser and her own car, suffering serious injuries to her legs and lower body.
Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason described her injuries as “critical and life threatening”. She was initially taken by road ambulance to Wangaratta District Base Hospital.
A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, about 10km from Wangaratta, was arrested after the incident. Police said civilian witnesses detained him before officers arrived, after which he was taken to Wangaratta Police Station and held overnight.
Investigators were due to interview the man as they worked to establish what happened and why. Mr Mason said he was not aware of any recent intelligence that had placed the man on police radar.
“The circumstances surrounding this whole incident, exactly what occurred, how it occurred, and why it occurred, will be the focus of the investigation,” he said.
A knife was seized from the vehicle involved after witnesses alerted police to its presence. Officers have not said whether it was used in the incident or what role it may have played.
Counter-terrorism team joins investigation
A joint counter-terrorism team has been activated as authorities investigate the alleged attack, while the Major Collision Investigation Unit has travelled from Melbourne to examine the scene.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the motive remained unclear but argued that the incident was not accidental.
“It is clear that this wasn’t just an accident. This was an attempt to harm Helen Haines. This will be a community that are hurting this morning and that are shocked and that are praying for a speedy recovery for Helen,” he said.
Police have said there is no known ongoing threat to the wider community. Mr Mason said investigators had no intelligence indicating “any ongoing or further threat to any individual or the broader community”.
Wangaratta barber Ricky Jefferies was praised after helping to detain the alleged driver before police arrived. Other bystanders also came to Haines’s aid.
Mr Mason thanked those who assisted the injured MP and helped hold the man at the scene. Members of the public later praised Mr Jefferies’s actions in reviews of his barber shop.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said he was “deeply appalled” by the “violent” alleged attack. He said his thoughts, and those of Victorians, were with Haines, her family, friends, colleagues and community.
Police said the incident had deeply affected Wangaratta, describing it as horrific and confronting for witnesses and emergency service workers.
Investigators are appealing for witnesses who were in the Murphy Street area at about 3.35pm on Monday, including motorists who may have captured the vehicles on dashcam footage.
