Australian barber hailed as hero for running to lawmaker's rescue during attack
Police are investigating possible political violence after the 65-year-old MP was critically injured and a barber detained the alleged driver until officers arrived.
- On Monday, October 19, independent MP Helen Haines, 65, was struck by a vehicle outside her Wangaratta electorate office, suffering critical injuries before being airlifted to Melbourne for emergency surgery.
- Barber Ricky Jefferies heard a loud bang from his nearby shop and immediately ran outside, pulling the driver from the vehicle and disarming him of a knife before restraining him until police arrived.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized the incident as 'not an accident,' with counter-terrorism authorities investigating the 43-year-old suspect, identified as Brendan Nugent of Tarrawingee, who allegedly performed a U-turn before striking Haines.
- NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Minister Yasmin Catley acknowledged that rising political polarization is forcing representatives to reconsider security protocols, though Minns noted that creating a total security system remains impossible.
- Nationals MP Tim McCurdy revealed the suspect had previously visited his electorate office, underscoring the difficulty of maintaining accessible public offices while addressing the rising threat of targeted violence against elected representatives.
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45 Articles
Haines, 65, underwent surgery overnight and remains in critical condition, reportedly losing her leg.
‘I don’t think I’m a hero’: Australian barber’s brave act hailed after MP hit by car
In a harrowing incident in Australia, barber Ricky Jefferies sprang into action after hearing a loud crash. He rushed outside to find lawmaker Helen Haines badly hurt following a vehicle collision. Jefferies bravely disarmed the assailant by removing a knife and held him until authorities arrived. Haines remains in critical condition post-surgery, and the situation has prompted an investigation involving counterterrorism teams due to fears of po…
Shock has been caused in Australia after the attack on MP Helen Haynes in the small town of Wangaratta. A man threw his vehicle at the deputy, injuring her. At the time, barber Richard Jeffries became a hero because he ran out of his store in order to prevent the escape of the man, whom authorities consider suspicious, as he allegedly deliberately threw his car into Haines. Jeffries had just finished cutting the young members of a family yesterd…
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