Major update on Helen Haines issued as hero bystander speaks out on MP 'attack'

Major update on Helen Haines issued as hero bystander speaks out on MP 'attack' A new update has been issued on Helen Haines after the MP was 'rammed twice' by a 4x4 in rural Australia before hero bystanders stepped in to stop the incident Officials have shared a major update on Helen Haines’ condition after the MP was reportedly ‘rammed’ with a car in a 'deliberate' attack. Police say the 65-year-old Australian MP was hit by a 4x4 while she placed items in the boot of her own car on Monday afternoon (October 19), allegedly pinning Ms Haines between the two vehicles. After bystanders raced to wrestle the driver from the car, she was airlifted from the scene in Wangaratta, rural Victoria, to hospital in Melbourne where she had emergency surgery overnight. A 43-year-old man from nearby Tarrawingee has since been arrested and remains in custody. In a new update shared on Tuesday morning, home affairs minister Tony Burke said Ms Haines is in a ‘critical but stable’ condition. He described how events reportedly unfolded: “What witnesses have described is the driver doing a U-turn to get into the car park and to ram Helen against a vehicle, then to reverse and do it a second time. “A bystander ran towards the scene, got the driver out of the vehicle and held the driver until police arrived. And I think every Australian is grateful for those moments when a hero like this runs towards the most dangerous place.” The bystander has been named as barber Ricky Jefferies, whose shop is next door to Haines’ office. He recalled the scene to journalists on Tuesday: “I heard a loud bang, it was crazy, I just ran out the front to see what was happening. I did what I could and did what others were trying to do.” He added: “The driver was still in the car, the car was still on, and… a man sat in front of the moving car. I had no choice but to take him out of the car because it was the right and safest thing to do.” Jefferies added he ‘took [a knife] out of his pocket and threw it away’. He has been called a ‘hero’ by Anthony Albanese, something Jefferies disagreed with. He went on: “I don’t think I’m a hero, I’m just somebody who had the opportunity to intervene in a safe-ish way. I was just trying to not get injured and not let anyone else be injured after the initial incident.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident ‘was not an accident’ but added ‘the motivation is not clear at this time’. Ms Haines has been an independent MP since she was elected. Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason, who personally thanked Jefferies for his actions, also called for any witnesses to come forward to police or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.