😢 Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Deaths on Home and Away | Fans Still Can’t Get Over These Moments

There’s a reason Home and Away has remained such a powerful fixture on Australian television for decades. The show doesn’t just tell love stories and everyday dramas—it asks viewers to grow alongside its characters. That deep emotional bond is exactly why saying goodbye hurts so much. When beloved residents of Summer Bay die, fans don’t just mourn fictional characters; they grieve old friends.

As many Australians enjoy the long summer break, Home and Away fans won’t have to wait too long for their next emotional fix. Channel 7 has confirmed the series will return in early 2026, bringing fresh episodes back to screens on Monday, January 19, airing at 7:00 p.m. and streaming on 7plus. If the newly released trailer is anything to go by, the new year will open with massive stakes and intense emotion.

The 2025 season ended on November 19 with a dramatic triple-episode finale that left viewers stunned. At the center of the chaos was a horrific train derailment involving a party train heading to the Off the Rails music festival in Broken Hill. The train came off the tracks inside a tunnel, trapping passengers in darkness and danger.

Several familiar Summer Bay locals were on board, including Justin, Mackenzie, Remi, Abigail, Dana, Sonny, Lacey, Jo, and Eddie. True to Home and Away tradition, the finale refused to offer easy answers. The final scenes showed Remi and Mackenzie unconscious, their fates unclear as the screen faded to black—leaving fans in suspense for nearly two months.

Adding to the heartbreak, Eddie had proposed to Jo just moments before the crash. Jo hadn’t yet given her answer, a detail that sparked huge discussion among fans—especially supporters of Tane, who quietly hoped the door was still open. Any romantic tension was instantly dwarfed by the unfolding disaster.

Looking ahead to 2026, it’s clear the aftermath of the crash will dominate early episodes. The trailer teases intense rescue scenes as Levi Fowler and Tane Parata risk everything to help those trapped in the tunnel. Levi clashes with Constable Cash Newman, demanding access to the site, while Tane ultimately ignores police orders and enters the tunnel himself.

Other haunting images include Sergeant David Langham surveying the wreckage and paramedics loading what appears to be a body covered by a white sheet into an ambulance. The show deliberately avoids revealing who survives, keeping viewers on edge.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the trailer also delivers a wave of nostalgia with the return of fan-favorite characters Brax Braxton and Ricky Sharpe. Played by Steve Peacocke and Bonnie Sweeney, the pair last appeared in 2016. Their comeback has thrilled longtime fans who followed their journey from the very beginning.

Brax first arrived in 2011 with his River Boy brothers and quickly became one of the show’s most iconic figures. Ricky joined the cast in 2013, and their love story became one of the most cherished romances in Home and Away history. Many of their new scenes were filmed in Western Australia, adding a cinematic edge to their return.

Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart, has spoken fondly about reuniting with Peacocke on set, hinting at reflective scenes about life and choices. While Alf remains central to the show’s legacy, Meagher also dropped a cryptic hint about Alf’s future, joking that at his age, “driving can become an issue”—a comment that immediately worried fans.

When the January 19 return date was announced, social media exploded with emotion. Many viewers admitted they were counting down the days to learn the fate of the characters on the ill-fated train. Others described the tunnel crash as one of the most tense endings the show has ever delivered, saying it still gives them chills.

The trailer’s rescue scenes earned widespread praise, with fans calling Tane a true hero for defying orders to save lives. At the same time, the image of the covered body sparked fear and sadness. Many viewers begged the writers not to take another beloved character.

Brax and Ricky’s return was widely seen as a gift to loyal fans, with many saying it brought back memories of their youth. Familiar faces like Alf, Roo, Leah, Marilyn, and John Palmer further reassured viewers that the heart of Summer Bay remains intact.

Beyond fan reactions, critics have long debated Home and Away’s use of tragedy. Some praise the show’s most iconic deaths—like Bobby Simpson, Meg Bowman, Shane Parish, and Charlie Buckton—for their emotional depth and long-lasting impact. Others argue that more recent losses risk feeling like shock tactics rather than organic storytelling.

Still, most experts agree on one thing: the show’s ability to spark emotion, debate, and even grief after so many years is proof of its enduring power. As Home and Away enters 2026, it does so with heavy hearts, high expectations, and the promise that Summer Bay will continue to deliver stories that viewers will never forget.