Barber Ricky Jefferies helped hold a driver at the scene after an alleged targeted vehicle strike left Australian lawmaker Helen Haines critically injured, police said.
Jefferies told ABC News he heard a crash from his nearby shop and went outside. He said he helped get the driver out of the vehicle and kept him there until police arrived. Jefferies said another bystander sat in front of the moving vehicle as people rushed to help Haines.
Concerned by the man’s movements, Jefferies said, he took a knife from the driver’s pocket and discarded it. He said the driver had not brandished the knife. “I don’t think I’m a hero,” Jefferies told ABC News, crediting others who responded.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Jefferies a hero and said he phoned him to thank him.
Victoria Police said Haines, 65, remained in critical but stable condition on Oct. 20 after being flown to Melbourne and undergoing surgery overnight. Police alleged the collision was targeted. Haines is the independent federal member for Indi.
Police charged a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee on Oct. 20 with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and harming a Commonwealth public official. Police said he was due in Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court on Oct. 21.
Albanese said a Joint Counter-Terrorism team had been activated; the motive was unknown.
