Legs Amputated After Australian Deputy Run Over Multiple Times by Car

Doctors amputated the leg of Australian Federal Parliament member Helen Haines while she remained in critical condition after being struck multiple times by a car in an act that appears to be linked to political violence, her husband said on Wednesday.

The 65-year-old independent member is receiving treatment at a hospital in Melbourne, where she was airlifted after being hit by a four-wheel-drive vehicle in her hometown of Wangaratta on Monday.

Her husband, Phil Haines, made his first public comments on behalf of the family regarding her condition since the incident. His remarks came hours after a man accused of running her over appeared in court.

Haines said her left leg was amputated on Monday and her right leg was amputated on Wednesday, after doctors lost hope of saving the second leg.

Earlier on Wednesday, Brendan Nugent, 43, appeared in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court, charged with intentionally causing serious injury and dangerous driving that resulted in serious injury and harm to a federal official.

The defendant’s lawyer, Shiraj Patel, told Magistrate Alison Von that his client suffers from potential psychological issues and a concussion. He did not clarify how his client sustained the concussion.