Wangaratta crash: Haines stable, charges expanded

The Alfred hospital in Melbourne confirmed on Saturday morning that Independent federal MP Helen Haines is in a serious but stable condition. This update supersedes earlier reports describing her status as critical.

Haines, the member for the Victorian seat of Indi, was struck by a car on Monday afternoon near her electorate office in Wangaratta. Surgeons attempted to save her right leg, but the severity of her injuries required amputations of both limbs.

Police charged Brendan Nugent, 43, of Tarrawingee, on Tuesday. He faces counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury, and the Commonwealth offence of causing harm to a public official. Court documents filed afterward show two additional charges for cultivating and possessing cannabis. Nugent appeared at Wangaratta magistrates court on Wednesday and did not apply for bail.

Her husband, Phil Haines, spoke outside the hospital on Wednesday. He stated that her heart and mind are in good shape, describing her as having a huge heart and a sharp intellect.

Staff for the Indi electorate said on Friday that they plan to reopen the office next Thursday. They noted that many team members witnessed the crash and provided immediate aid. The team asked the public for understanding as they take time to recover.

A special appeal to Save the Children, encouraged by Phil Haines, has raised more than $730,000. Cathy McGowan, Haines’s predecessor as member for Indi, spoke at a community vigil in Wodonga on Wednesday. She described the community as dealing with mixed emotions.

The incident prompted a separate police action in Western Australia. Officers charged a 56-year-old man after he allegedly threatened staff and wielded nunchucks at the electoral office of state local government minister Hannah Beazley. This event occurred days after the Wangaratta crash.