{
  "id": 15856250,
  "title": "Australia lawmaker wounded in car attack has lost both her legs: Husband",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australia-lawmaker-wounded-in-car-attack-has-lost-both-her-legs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T07:02:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/australia-helen-haines-car-attack-lose-both-legs-6478141"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Helen Haines, an Australian independent lawmaker who focused on climate change and regional housing, has lost both her legs following a car attack outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne. Her husband, Phil Haines, announced that doctors attempted to save her right leg but were ultimately unsuccessful. The assailant, Brendan Nugent, appeared in court charged with three offenses: dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and causing harm to a public official. Nugent, a resident of the town of Tarrawingee within Haines' electorate, was also charged with cannabis cultivation and possession. Haines, who has championed various causes, remains in critical condition. Police are investigating the motive behind the attack, which they describe as rare and isolated. Nugent allegedly suffers from a rare neurological condition and was treated for concussion at the time of his arrest. The case against Nugent was deferred until February 4, and anti-terrorism agencies are also investigating the incident. Police emphasized that there was no prior intelligence indicating the attack was imminent.",
  "summary": "Doctors worked for days to save Helen Haines' right leg but were ultimately unsuccessful, said her husband.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}