Australian MP Helen Haines has lost a leg after being struck by an SUV in what police are investigating as a deliberate attack outside her office.
The independent MP remains in critical condition in hospital after being hit in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Ms Haines was removing belongings from the boot of her car at about 3.30pm local time when she was hit by a white 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series Troop Carrier.
Victoria Police said the mother-of-three was taken to hospital with severe injuries to the lower part of her body.
Australian broadcaster 9News Melbourne reported that Ms Haines had lost a leg following the alleged attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a 43-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.
He said counter-terrorism and security agencies were involved in the investigation.
Speaking to ABC, Mr Albanese said: “This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear.”
Australian MP Helen Haines has lost a leg after being “deliberately” struck by an SUV in Victoria, southeastern Australia, on Monday.
Police arrested the driver of a white 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series Troop Carrier after the incident.
Emergency services gathered outside Ms Haines’ office in Wangaratta, Victoria, about a three-hour drive north-east of Melbourne.
“We certainly hope for good news about Helen’s condition over the next 24 hours,” Mr Albanese said.
Reports said the driver passed Ms Haines, 65, before making a U-turn and crashing into her, pinning her beneath the vehicle.
A local barber told 7News that he rushed to the scene, pulled the driver from the vehicle and allegedly wrestled him to the ground.
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Victoria Police said a knife was recovered from the vehicle. The arrested man was due to be interviewed later that day.
Investigators are examining whether the incident was intentional. Police said it was not yet known whether Ms Haines and the driver were acquainted.
Ms Haines was elected as a Victorian MP in 2019 after a career in healthcare.
At a press conference, Mr Albanese said: “There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody.”
“The Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO are working together on this. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team has been activated, but the motive is not known.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a 43-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the incident.
Ms Haines, a 65-year-old mother of three, was taken to hospital with ‘severe’ lower body injuries
The PM added that he had spoken with Victoria’s state leader Ben Carroll but that it was ‘too early’ to provide more details.
Mr Albanese said Ms Haines was ‘fiercely intelligent, but most importantly… a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the Parliament and by everyone who comes into contact with her’.
The MP’s family praised the ‘swift assistance’ of bystanders, police and medical workers in a statement following the incident.
‘This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,’ the family said.
‘We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.
‘Our family, and Helen’s staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media. Please keep Helen in your thoughts.’