{
  "id": 15863213,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T08:36:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/2026/10/21/australian-mp-has-both-legs-amputated-after-ramming-attack/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Australian politician, Helen Haines, had both of her legs amputated after a vehicle deliberately rammed her outside her office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The incident occurred on Monday when Mrs. Haines was retrieving an item from her car. Another car made a U-turn and struck her, then reversed and collided with her a second time. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced the details on Tuesday. Doctors performed amputations on her legs over the course of two days. Her husband, Phil Haines, reported that Helen is alive and stable at Melbourne hospital. On Wednesday, Brendan Nugent, 43, was charged with causing harm to a public official, intentionally causing serious harm, and dangerous driving. He made a brief appearance in Wangaratta Magistrates' Court and was held in custody until his next hearing in February. Authorities are still investigating the motive for the attack, which is believed to be deliberate and isolated, according to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush. He stated that there was no prior intelligence to suggest Nugent posed an immediate threat. Nugent's family expressed their shock and described the attack as \"unfathomable\", calling Haines a long-time friend. The incident has shocked Australia, where violence against politicians is extremely uncommon, and has prompted calls for a reduction in the heightened rhetoric in the public sphere.",
  "summary": "An Australian MP has had both legs amputated after she was rammed by a car in the street outside her office earlier this week. Independent Helen Haines was critically injured as she retrieved an item from her car in the rural town of Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday. Another vehicle made a U-turn and struck Mrs Haines, before reversing and driving into her a second time, Home Affairs Minister Tony…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "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": "New Straits Times",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-10-21T08:15:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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 Business",
        "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-15864930",
        "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."
}