Australian lawmaker has both legs amputated after allegedly deliberate attack by car rammer

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The Australian lawmaker hit by a car in an allegedly deliberate attack has now had both legs amputated, her husband announced Wednesday.
Helen Haines, an independent federal MP, remains in a critical condition in hospital after being hit on a main road outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northeastern Victoria, mid-afternoon Monday.

“Helen’s left leg was amputated on Monday. We had been hoping that her right leg would be saved, but… the surgeons had to also remove her right leg,” Phil Haines, the MP’s husband of nearly 40 years, told a press conference at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.
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The story actually broke on Monday, but details are slowly emerging:
In court, Nugent's lawyer said that his client had "mental health concerns" but did not give any further detail.

The court also heard that Nugent has a rare neurological condition - idiopathic transverse myelitis - caused by inflammation of the spinal cord.
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Investigators are also looking into whether drug use or medication played a part in the incident and if there was any personal connection between Nugent and Haines.

Nugent's family earlier put out a statement saying they were long-time friends with Haines, who is the independent MP for the regional seat of Indi in Victoria. They described the apparent attack as "devastating and unfathomable".

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at around 15.35, local time. Moments after the car hit Haines, bystanders pulled Nugent out of the vehicle and detained him.
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"The court heard Nugent suffers from a rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis, which can cause a sudden inflammation of the spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, sensory loss, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.

His lawyer, Chirag Patel, claims Nugent was also suffering from a concussion.

Patel said his client had not been diagnosed with any mental health problems, but that he had “concerns” about Nugent’s mental health and wanted him to see a medical practitioner."

7news.com.au

Accused MP attacker’s rare medical condition revealed in court

Brendan Nugent, 43, did not apply for bail during the brief hearing.
7news.com.au 7news.com.au

Another website behind a paywall says this:
"Brendan Nugent was unemployed and had a history of schizophrenia and marijuana use, sources claim, but had been relatively stable before screams were heard coming from his rural property the day he allegedly drove his LandCruiser into Helen Haines."
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