Australian politician struck by car in violent attack loses both legs

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines had both legs amputated after a driver allegedly struck her with an SUV twice in what authorities are investigating as a serious act of violence against a federal official.

Haines, 65, remained in critical condition Wednesday at a Melbourne hospital, where doctors amputated her right leg after initially removing her left leg following Monday’s attack in her hometown of Wangaratta. Her husband, speaking publicly for the first time since the incident, said she was alive and stable.