Brendan Nugent’s family say Helen Haines has been their friend for more than 20 years

<p>Father of 43-year-old Tarrawingee man who allegedly attacked the independent MP says incident is ‘devastating and unfathomable’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/who-is-helen-haines-the-mp-allegedly-attacked-in-victoria-ntwnfb">Who is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">new political email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The father of a 43-year-old man accused of allegedly attacking Helen Haines has pledged to work with police and described the incident as “shocking and horrific”.</p><p>The independent MP remained in a critical condition on Tuesday after being airlifted from Wangaratta in northern <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/victoria">Victoria</a> to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital for emergency surgery on Monday night. She has lost one leg, with surgeons working to save the other.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/20/brendan-nugent-driver-alleged-attack-helen-haines-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>