Doctors have amputated the leg of Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines after a driver deliberately rammed her with his car and reversed to hit her a second time, officials said on Tuesday. Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the targeted assault.

The incident occurred on Monday in the small rural town of Wangaratta, located north of Melbourne. Haines underwent emergency surgery overnight and remains in critical condition. The 43-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene and formally charged on Tuesday.