Car allegedly did U-turn and struck Helen Haines twice, in what some believe was targeted attack against MP

Independent MP undergoes surgery and is in critical yet stable condition, as police interview alleged attacker in Wangaratta incident

The man accused of attacking Helen Haines allegedly made a U-turn before ramming the independent MP twice in what some believed may be a targeted attack near her electorate office, according to eyewitnesses.

The independent MP remains in a critical condition after being airlifted from Wangaratta in northern Victoria to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital for emergency surgery on Monday night.

A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man alleged to have driven the Toyota Land Cruiser was arrested at the scene.

Police expect to interview the suspect in the attack on Tuesday, acting superintendent Ashley Mason said.

The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said witnesses alleged the driver completed a U-turn before the incident.

“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,” he told ABC radio.

“A bystander ran towards the scene, got the driver out of the vehicle and held the driver until police arrived.”

Ricky Jeffries, whose barbershop is next door to Haines’ office, ran from his shop to help after hearing the crash.

“I had no choice but to take him out of the car because it was the right and safest thing to do,” he told reporters on Tuesday morning.

Jeffries, who returned to work on Tuesday morning, alleged the driver had a knife on him. “He didn’t pull it out,” he said. “Basically just … took it out of his pocket and threw it away.”

Burke said: “I think every Australian is grateful for those moments when a hero like this runs towards the most dangerous place.”

The home affairs minister said the nation’s security agencies and police will be working through what more could have been done to prevent the alleged attack and to help keep others safe.

On Monday Burke reported that there had been 1,067 reports of harassment or threats against high office holders in Australia in the last financial year, an increase from 951 the year before.