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'Mummy loves you': Woman's CHILLING words after stabbing sons several times on motorway

Police said a member of the public who witnessed the incident stopped his car on the motorway and intervened, disarming the suspect

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA: A woman who stabbed her children on a motorway has been charged with two counts of attempted murder as authorities showered praise on a man who intervened in the incident, potentially preventing a far worse situation.

Megan Jayne Somerville allegedly stopped her car on the North-South Motorway late on Monday night, August 15, and removed her two young boys from the vehicle before stabbing them several times with a knife. Police said a member of the public who witnessed the incident stopped his car on the motorway and intervened, disarming the suspect. The two boys were rushed to the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide and treated for life-threatening injuries

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Fortunately, Megan's eight-year-old son had surgery on his wounds early Tuesday, August 16, and is expected to make a full recovery. His three-year-old brother was also expected to undergo an operation albeit his condition was described as stable. Meanwhile, their 35-year-old mother was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital where she underwent a medical assessment. Court records revealed she was remanded in custody to appear in court again in December, though her lawyers were allowed call on an earlier bail hearing.

Following the incident, Superintendent Selena Dinning said how grateful the police were to the man, who wasn't identified, and others who helped with the situation. "If this man hadn't stopped, I'm sure the situation would have been much worse," Dinning said. "We're very grateful that he stopped and we're also very grateful to the two other members of the public who assisted him. We think he was very brave in doing this. We are really pleased that he was there - right spot, right time." The superintendent said it wasn't clear what triggered the incident or where the woman was headed. "She was on the expressway, so it's not that far (from her home) but why she was there, I can't say," Dinning added. Some reports suggested Megan told her sons "Mummy loves you" while being removed from the scene.

Authorities are now investigating prior dealings between the family and police and child protection services. Police will also liaise with authorities about the ongoing care of the children, though they have already identified other family members, including the boys' biological father.

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Megan's sister Jessica Somerville took to social media on Tuesday to reveal that the suspect previously had contact with both South Australia Police and the Department of Child Protection. “Despite repeated interactions with SAPOL and the Department of Child Protection, the system has failed to appropriately intervene,” Jessica alleged. “Megan has had severe mental illness and drug addiction problems for the past eight years and despite the efforts of family and friends, she has continued to deteriorate with a number of incidents over the years" she added.

South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas described reports of the incident as "clearly shocking." He said, "There are so many questions that are unanswered here. It's appropriate for the police investigation to run its course," adding, "It's impossible to get your head around. If the allegations are proven to be true, God knows what circumstances have led to this absolute tragedy."