{
  "id": 15861629,
  "title": "Australian lawmaker loses both legs, knew family of suspected attacker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-lawmaker-loses-both-legs-knew-family-of-suspected-attacker",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T08:15:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/10/1560630/australian-lawmaker-loses-both-legs-knew-family-suspected-attacker"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has lost both legs in what police described as a targeted attack. Haines, a member of the federal parliament, was struck by a car on Monday near her office in Wangaratta, Victoria, over 200 kilometers from Melbourne. Her husband, Phil Haines, confirmed that surgeons had amputated both of her legs. Despite the severity of her injuries, Haines remains stable in a Melbourne hospital, with her husband emphasizing that her life and mental well-being are the most important aspects of her recovery. The alleged perpetrator, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday and faces multiple charges, including dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and harming a public official. Nugent also faces charges related to cultivating and possessing cannabis. The family of Brendan Nugent revealed that they have been friends for over two decades, describing Haines as a deeply respected and beloved member of their community. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and Nugent has been ordered to undergo a medical examination before his next court appearance on February 4, 2027.",
  "summary": "MELBOURNE: Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs removed, her husband told journalists on Wednesday, after what police called a “targeted” attack.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian Australia",
        "title": "Helen Haines has lost both legs after Monday’s alleged attack but ‘her heart and mind in good shape’, husband says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/helen-haines-has-lost-both-legs-after-mondays-alleged-attack-but-her",
        "published": "2026-10-21T06:15:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after alleged targeted attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-mp-helen-haines-loses-both-legs-after-alleged-targeted",
        "published": "2026-10-21T06:55:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Australian lawmaker Helen Haines had both legs amputated after car ramming attack, husband says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-lawmaker-helen-haines-had-both-legs-amputated-after-car",
        "published": "2026-10-21T07:20:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Haines attack is rare but not without a precedent",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/haines-attack-is-rare-but-not-without-a-precedent",
        "published": "2026-10-21T07:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Australian politician who was hit by car has lost both legs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-politician-who-was-hit-by-car-has-lost-both-legs",
        "published": "2026-10-21T07:32:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Australian MP loses both legs after alleged car attack, husband says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-mp-loses-both-legs-after-alleged-car-attack-husband-says",
        "published": "2026-10-21T07:56:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Australian politician who was hit by car has lost both legs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-politician-who-was-hit-by-car-has-lost-both-legs-15864902",
        "published": "2026-10-21T07:57:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Australian MP Helen Haines loses both legs after car attack as suspect appears in court",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-mp-helen-haines-loses-both-legs-after-car-attack-as",
        "published": "2026-10-21T08:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Australian MP has both legs amputated after ramming 'attack'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/australian-mp-has-both-legs-amputated-after-ramming-attack",
        "published": "2026-10-21T08:36:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}