Helen Haines loses both legs after car incident

Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines has had both legs amputated after being struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, her husband said Wednesday. Phil Haines said she was alive and stable following surgery, though her recovery would be long and difficult. Surgeons amputated Haines’s left leg on Monday and her right leg on Wednesday, according to her husband, who gave the update at a press conference. Doctors had initially hoped to save the right leg. Haines was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the incident on October 19. A 43-year-old man, Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a public official. The allegations have not been determined in court. Nugent did not apply for bail, and a further hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2027, according to court reporting. Police have not established a motive and say the investigation is continuing. Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said investigators were examining possible leads. Police also said they had no prior specific intelligence indicating a threat to Haines. The...