New details emerge about hero bystander who intervened after Helen Haines attack as Albo issues update on MP’s emergency surgery

Updated: 16:28 EDT, 19 October 2026

The hero barber shop owner who pulled a driver from his car and restrained him after a targeted attack on federal MP Helen Haines has been identified as a local father-of-three.

Ricky Jefferies rushed to help after witnessing the crash outside his Wangaratta barber shop, next door to Ms Haines’ electorate office, on Monday afternoon.

Ms Haines, 65, remains fighting for life after undergoing emergency surgery in Melbourne overnight.

The independent MP for Indi was retrieving belongings from the boot of her car, parked on Murphy St, when she was struck by a white 1997 Toyota LandCruiser.

Witnesses said the driver made a U-turn and appeared to aim the vehicle at her.

The mother-of-three and grandmother was pinned by the four-wheel-drive and suffered ‘severe’ lower body injuries.

She was initially treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to Melbourne, about 250km away, amid fears she could lose both legs.

Mr Jefferies pulled the driver from the vehicle and wrestled him to the ground.

He found a flick knife in the man’s pocket, kicked it away and held him down until police arrived.

A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, near Wangaratta, was arrested at the scene and later questioned. No charges had been laid as of Tuesday morning.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Mr Jefferies on Tuesday, describing him as a hero whose intervention may have prevented further injuries.

‘It’s got to be said here that at this dark and terrible time, an element of light is the fact that a Good Samaritan, someone rushed to Helen’s defence in Wangaratta … and that person is a hero today,’ Albanese told Nine’s Today show.

‘And I just think that he deserves enormous praise and thanks for his intervention, which could have prevented even more further infliction of damage, which was aimed at Helen.’

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New details emerge about hero bystander

The Good Samaritan bystander who leapt to MP Helen Haines’ aid and pulled the driver from his car to perform a citizen’s arrest has been identified as a local barber owner.

Father-of-three Ricky Jefferies leapt into action after witnessing the crash outside his Wangaratta barber shop next to the MP’s office

barber shop owner Ricky Jefferies

With no thought for his own safety, Mr Jefferies pulled the man from the driver’s seat of the vehicle and wrestled him to the ground.

He found a flick knife in the man’s pocket, which he kicked away and held the man down until police arrived.

‘Richard overpowered him, searched him and found a knife in his pocket and threw it away. And then took him to the ground,’ his sister Tanya told Sunrise.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Mr Jefferies on Tuesday morning.

‘And I just think that he deserves enormous praise and thanks for his intervention, which could have prevented even more further infliction of damage, which was aimed at Helen.’

Fellow local business owner Jessica Bear added: ‘He’s such a selfless person, and it definitely needs to be known about his bravery.

‘Ricky raced out when he thought that it was just a car accident, and he apprehended the man that was in the vehicle.’

16221727 Ricky Jefferies from RickyChops Barbershop in Wangaratta after saving MP Helen Haines

Albo provides an update on Helen Haines

Helen Haines remains in a critical condition, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

‘I spoke with her husband Phil last night, and she underwent surgery last night,’ he told Sunrise on Tuesday morning.

‘All of Australians’ thoughts are with the family, with her many friends, with her community. Helen Haines is someone of integrity.

‘She’s greatly admired right across the political spectrum. She’s someone who’s characterised by her kindness, her diligence, her intelligence, someone who is so proud of representing that beautiful part of Victoria.

‘And this is a tragic situation, and our thoughts are with her this morning and today, and we hope for a full recovery.’