{
  "id": 15699134,
  "title": "‘It was crazy’: Australian barber hailed as hero after rushing to lawmaker’s rescue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/it-was-crazy-australian-barber-hailed-as-hero-after-rushing-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T04:24:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/australia-attack-barber-hero-helen-haines-6474301"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barber Ricky Jefferies hailed as hero after rushing to help lawmaker Helen Haines in Wangaratta\n\nAustralian barber Ricky Jefferies has been hailed as a hero for rushing to the aid of lawmaker Helen Haines in a shocking incident that has shaken the nation. On Monday, Oct 19, Jefferies was finishing haircuts at his shop when he heard a loud bang outside and realized a driver had struck Haines, leaving her critically injured. Without hesitation, he sprinted out of his store to confront the alleged attacker, grabbing a knife from his pocket and pulling him out of the car.\n\n\"I just ran out the front to see what was happening,\" Jefferies told reporters on Tuesday. \"It was crazy, I just did what I could to help.\" He held the man down until police arrived, ensuring he was no longer a threat. Haines, a 65-year-old local MP, was airlifted to the hospital for surgery and remains in critical condition.\n\nEarly investigations suggest the driver deliberately performed a U-turn before hitting Haines as she was loading or unloading items from her car. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as a rare act of political violence, involving counterterrorism authorities in the ongoing investigation. While police have not yet determined a motive, Albanese praised Jefferies' intervention, calling him a hero for putting himself in danger to defend Haines.",
  "summary": "Australian barber Ricky Jefferies said he ran to assist lawmaker Helen Haines, grabbing a knife from the alleged attacker's pocket and pulling him out of the car.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Australia's Albanese says attacker's car made U-turn before critically injuring lawmaker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/australias-albanese-says-attackers-car-made-u-turn-before-critically",
        "published": "2026-10-20T02:22:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Australian PM says attacker's car made U-turn before critically injuring lawmaker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/australian-pm-says-attackers-car-made-u-turn-before-critically-15692293",
        "published": "2026-10-20T02:40:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Australian PM says attacker’s car made U-turn before critically injuring lawmaker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/australian-pm-says-attackers-car-made-u-turn-before-critically",
        "published": "2026-10-20T02:50:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Australian PM says attacker's car made U-turn before critically injuring lawmaker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/australian-pm-says-attackers-car-made-u-turn-before-critically-15693232",
        "published": "2026-10-20T02:52:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "An Australian lawmaker is critical but stable after being hit by a car, the prime minister says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/an-australian-lawmaker-is-critical-but-stable-after-being-hit-by-a",
        "published": "2026-10-20T05:58:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}