Brief

Barber disarms driver after MP Helen Haines hit by vehicle in Wangaratta

Ricky Jefferies held the alleged driver down until police arrived, drawing praise from officials and locals.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 20 Oct 2026 03:38:22 GMT

On Monday afternoon, independent MP Helen Haines, 65, was struck by a Toyota Landcruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. The driver, a 43‑year‑old man, allegedly produced a pocket knife as emergency services arrived.

What happened

At about 7:34 a.m. on 20 October, local barber Ricky Jefferies, who was nearby, first thought the incident was a simple car accident. When he saw the glint of a knife, he intervened, grabbing the weapon and holding the driver down until police arrived. Haines was taken to hospital in critical condition. The driver remains in custody.

What the reports add

The Sydney Morning Herald article notes that Jefferies, a husband and father of three, was already at his barbershop when the incident unfolded and continued cutting hair from 7 a.m. after the event. It also records that a vase of flowers and a handwritten note were left at his shop as a tribute.

What was said

Jessica Bear, owner of the coffee shop two doors from Haines’ office, told the outlet, “He’s such a selfless person… He raced out when he thought it was just a car accident, and he apprehended the man that was in the vehicle.” Bear added that Jefferies “risked his own life” and that “it could have definitely been a lot more tragic.”

Mayor Irene Grant said, “That’s the sort of thing that I think we are known for, our community… we volunteer, we step up, we support each other.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised Jefferies, though his exact words were not quoted in the article.

How it came about

The attack on Haines follows a series of violent incidents reported in recent weeks, including a cockpit stabbing on a flydubai flight and a hammer assault on a Winnipeg taxi driver, both covered by Felo News. Those events highlight a broader pattern of sudden, public‑space violence that authorities are still investigating.

Key facts

Helen Haines was hit by a Toyota Landcruiser outside her office in Wangaratta on 20 Oct 2026. (smh.com.au)
Barber Ricky Jefferies disarmed the driver and held him until police arrived. (smh.com.au)
The driver, a 43‑year‑old man, remains in custody. (smh.com.au)
Jessica Bear praised Jefferies as selfless and brave. (smh.com.au)
Mayor Irene Grant highlighted community solidarity after the incident. (smh.com.au)