Independent MP Helen Haines is in critical yet stable condition after being struck twice by a vehicle in what some witnesses believe may have been a targeted attack near her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The incident occurred on Monday night, prompting an emergency airlift to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital for surgery.

Incident Details

Eyewitnesses reported that the alleged attacker, a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, made a U-turn before ramming his Toyota Land Cruiser into Haines. Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason confirmed that the suspect was arrested at the scene and was expected to be interviewed by police on Tuesday.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated, "What witnesses have described is the driver doing a U-turn to get into the car park and to ram Helen against a vehicle, then to reverse and do it a second time." A bystander, identified as Ricky Jefferies, intervened by pulling the driver from the vehicle until police arrived. Jefferies, who owns a barbershop next to Haines’ office, recounted, "I had no choice but to take him out of the car because it was the right and safest thing to do."