Helen Haines’ husband has shared a heartbreaking update on the Independent MP’s second leg, which surgeons had been hoping to save.

Phil Haines told media on Wednesday afternoon that his wife’s right leg had been amputated after she lost her left leg on Monday.

“What took place on Monday was a horrendous incident, and as you know, it’s caused Helen significant injuries,” said Haines, a farmer and agricultural scientist.

“As a result of that, Helen’s left leg was amputated on Monday.

“We had been hoping her right leg would be saved, but as of this afternoon or this morning, the surgeons also had to remove her right leg.”

But he said Helen was a “fighter” and the “most important” thing for the family was that she was alive and stable.

“We are grateful and thankful that, at this stage, both her heart and her mind are in good shape.”

Helen Haines, 65, was pinned between two vehicles when she was allegedly struck by a Toyota LandCruiser driven by constituent Brendan Nugent outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday.

The incident comes just weeks before Helen and Phil Haines were due to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next month.

“Thanks to (the) many people who have been incredibly supportive of our family the last two days since this horrendous incident took place … we will need that over the next few days and beyond,” Haines said.

An emotional Phil paid tribute to his wife.

“Her heart is huge — she is a very compassionate, caring, loving person, incredibly supportive of all around her,” he said.

“And her mind — she has the sharpest intellect. She has always had the most intense desire to learn, to read, to synthesise and to understand what’s going on.”

Governor-General Sam Mostyn, a close friend to Haines, Mostyn said she has provided King Charles III regular updates on the “shocking” situation.

She said she had discussed the importance of civil debate and civic engagement with Haines during a meeting in her electorate earlier in October.

“Australians have good hearts, great hearts … we don’t have to all agree, but we can wrestle the issue, not the person, just as Helen has done throughout her time in Parliament.”

The man accused of deliberately running down the MP will remain behind bars for months while the alleged attack is investigated by counter-terrorism authorities.

Tarrawingee man Brendan Nugent, 43, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm, intentionally causing serious harm, and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official over the incident which left Dr Haines fighting for her life.

It’s alleged he intentionally struck the 65-year-old MP with his Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, northern Victoria, on Monday afternoon.

During Nugent’s brief court appearance on Wednesday, his lawyer Chirag Patel said the man suffered a rare neurological condition called idiopathic transverse myelitis, caused by a swollen spinal chord, as well as concussion.

He had not being diagnosed with mental health problems, but Mr Patel said he had concerns about his client’s psychological wellbeing and wanted him to see a medical practitioner.

Nugent sat quietly in the dock in the packed courtroom, his mouth shut and dark circles around his eyes.

Cultivating and possessing marijuana were among the charges on his rap sheet, court documents show.

Nugent did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to face court again in February.

Law enforcement have not ruled out further charges, including attempted murder, Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush said on Wednesday.

Nugent’s former primary school teacher on Wednesday told AAP the accused attacker had been a good kid, but probably had deeper-seated issues.

Jacquie, who preferred not to give her surname, described him as withdrawn, but “beautiful, like most of the kids were”.

Bush said authorities were also investigating any prior personal personal relationship between Dr Haines and Nugent.

“We’re examining social media associations, talking to witnesses, friends and colleagues,” the police commissioner said.

The accused’s father, Rod Nugent, and Rod’s partner Christine Cunningham on Tuesday revealed they had been friends with Haines for more than 20 years, calling the alleged attack “devastating and unfathomable”.

Immediately after she was hit by the large off-roader, Haines was still talking and thanking bystanders who intervened, eyewitnesses have reported.

Jacob Evans and Jacklyn Black, who were visiting Wangaratta from Melbourne, rushed to the MP’s side on Monday despite not knowing her “from a bar of soap”, they told AAP.

“She was thanking us and calling us beautiful people,” Black said.

-with AAP