Australian lawmaker hit by car in critical condition

An Australian federal lawmaker remained in a hospital in a critical, but stable condition, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said yesterday as he praised a barber who helped restrain the driver accused of deliberately hitting the lawmaker twice.

Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent politician, was on Monday struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her office in her electorate in the city of Wangaratta. The 43-year-old driver yesterday remained in police custody.

The incident shocked Australians as political violence is rare there and politicians have always been accessible to the public. Most lawmakers are not accompanied by security officers and go about their work and personal lives on their own.

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines speaks to journalists in Canberra on Sept. 8.

Photo: EPA

The suspect’s father yesterday released a statement describing Haines as “deeply respected, valued and much loved member of our local community.”

“Helen has been our friend for more than 20 years and what happened to her yesterday is devastating and unfathomable,” the father said.

Albanese said yesterday he phoned local barber Ricky Jefferies, who had run from his store to help members of the public detain the suspect, to thank him for intervening.

“It’s a reminder that at the worst of times, we see the best of the Australian character,” Albanese said in Melbourne.

Jefferies had earlier told reporters he searched the driver’s pockets and removed a knife. Police confirmed a knife had been found. Jefferies also said he did not consider himself a hero.

“It was crazy,” he said. “A lot of people got involved immediately, and they didn’t even check for danger. They just ran to help.”

Haines’ family released a statement expressing thanks for the “swift assistance of bystanders” as well as health workers and police.

Haines was initially taken to a hospital in Wangaratta, a city of 30,000 people. She was airlifted later on Monday to a hospital in the state capital, Melbourne, 236km away.

The Alfred Hospital yesterday did not respond to a request for comment on media reports that Haines had had a leg amputated.