Brendan Nugent’s family say Helen Haines has been their friend for more than 20 years

Father of 43-year-old Tarrawingee man who allegedly attacked the independent MP says incident is devastating and unfathomable'

• Who is Helen Haines, the MP allegedly attacked in Victoria?

• Get our new political email, free app or daily news podcast

The father of a 43-year-old man accused of allegedly attacking Helen Haines has pledged to work with police and described the incident as shocking and horrific".

The independent MP remained in a critical condition on Tuesday after being airlifted from Wangaratta in northern Victoria to Melbourne's Alfred hospital for emergency surgery on Monday night. She has lost one leg, with surgeons working to save the other.