Australian lawmaker loses leg after vehicle attack being probed by anti-terror police
Australian lawmaker Helen Haines is in critical condition after being intentionally struck by a vehicle in an incident currently being investigated by counter-terrorism police. The attacker, who also wielded a knife, was restrained by a bystander, and the incident has sparked national concern over political polarization.
Why it matters
The attack on a public official raises serious concerns about political violence and the safety of elected representatives in a polarized climate.
SYDNEY/MELBOURNE, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Doctors have amputated the leg of an Australian lawmaker after a man rammed her with his car and then reversed to hit her a second time, local media and officials said on Tuesday, in an incident being investigated by anti-terrorism police.
Helen Haines, an independent, underwent surgery overnight and remained in critical condition after Monday's attack in the small rural town ofWangaratta, north of Melbourne.
The motive for the attack has yet to be revealed, but Australia’s prime minister has linked it to a climate of ugly, polarised political debate in the country.
"It's clear that there was a deliberate act here. This wasn't an accident, someone just skidding off the road," Albanese told ABC News.
Early investigations suggested the car hit Haines as she was loading or unloading things from the trunk of her car, he said.
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