Independent MP Helen Haines has lost both legs but remains in a stable condition, two days after an alleged targeted attack near her electorate office in north-east Victoria.
Haines, the federal MP for Indi, had been in a critical but stable condition after the incident in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Surgeons were trying to save her right leg on Tuesday, but both had to be amputated due to the seriousness of her injuries.
Her husband, Phil Haines, provided an update on his wife’s condition at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital late Wednesday.
He said his wife had survived “an horrendous incident” and faced a long road to recovery.
“The good news in all this is Helen is alive and she’s stable,” he said,
“That is the most important thing for our family. And I think when we reflect and talk about and think about Helen, the two most important parts of Helen for us as a family are her heart and her mind.”
“Her heart is huge. She is a very compassionate, caring, loving person. Incredibly supportive of all around her, her family, her community, anybody she comes across. And her mind. She has the sharpest intellect.”
Phil Haines described the 65-year-old as a fighter. The pair have been married for nearly 40 years and three children and two grandchildren.
“She is a determined person who will do her best with our support and love to recover, and that is what we hope for,” he said.
“We are grateful at this stage that both her heart and her mind are in good shape.”
More details soon …
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/21/helen-haines-loses-both-legs-after-mondays-alleged-attack-ntwnfb
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