Australian politician who was intentionally hit by car loses both her legs

October 21, 2026 / 8:10 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after being hit by a car, her husband said on Wednesday, hailing her as a "fighter" despite critical injuries sustained in what police described as a targeted attack.

Haines, 65, is now in a stable condition at a Melbourne hospital days after being struck by a car on Monday near her office in the town of Wangaratta, which is just over 200 kilometers, or 120 miles, northeast of the Victoria state capital.

The incident has prompted soul-searching in a country where political violence is rare but where police have documented a steady rise in threats and abuse toward elected officials in recent years.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led tributes to Haines, an independent member of parliament and a passionate campaigner for transparency and against corruption. He has also acknowledged the need for Australians to turn down the temperature and embrace respectful disagreement over polarization.

Speaking at the hospital on Wednesday, Haines' husband of almost 40 years, Phil, said that after days in intensive care, surgeons had been forced to amputate both her legs.

"But the good news in all this is…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/