Summer Bay has been rocked by another heart-stopping tragedy, with fan favourite Harper Matheson (Jessica Redmayne) left fighting for her life after a devastating car accident – just hours after Tane Parata (Ethan Browne) disappeared with her young daughter.

Locals were left reeling after police and paramedics rushed to the scene on the outskirts of Yabbie Creek late last night. Witnesses say Harper’s car was found crumpled against a tree, her phone still on the seat beside her, buzzing with missed calls from Tane.

Sources on set have confirmed that the shocking turn of events will send shockwaves through the Bay, with Harper’s loved ones racing against time to find out what truly happened – and whether Tane is to blame.

A Love Story Torn Apart

Harper and Tane’s romance has been turbulent from the start, but few could have predicted it would end in such heartbreak. After weeks of mounting tension over the custody of Harper’s young daughter, Mia, things reportedly exploded in a heated confrontation earlier that day.

“Tane was desperate,” a show insider reveals. “He’s always seen himself as the protector, but when he thought Mia was in danger, he made a split-second decision to take her away. Harper was distraught – she just wanted her family back.”

But in true Home and Away fashion, tragedy struck before reconciliation was possible.

The Race to Save Harper

When Harper failed to return home that night, panic quickly spread. Friends Rose (Kirsty Marillier) and Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) were the first to respond to reports of a wrecked car on the highway – only to find Harper barely conscious and trapped behind the wheel.

“She was whispering Tane’s name,” an emotional Rose says in upcoming scenes. “She just kept saying, ‘He took her… he took my baby.’ It’s absolutely gut-wrenching.”

Doctors at Northern Districts Hospital have placed Harper in an induced coma as she undergoes emergency surgery. Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for Tane, who was last seen driving north with Mia in tow.

Secrets, Blame and a Shocking Truth

As the Bay braces for fallout, whispers are growing that the accident may not have been as simple as it seems. Did Harper lose control in a moment of panic – or was someone trying to stop her from revealing the truth about Tane’s actions?

“There’s more to this than anyone realises,” teases one production insider. “This storyline will test loyalties, destroy friendships, and uncover a secret that changes everything for Harper and Tane.”

With Tane on the run and Harper clinging to life, fans are bracing for one of the most emotional weeks in Home and Away history.

Stay tuned – because in Summer Bay, love and tragedy are always just one heartbeat apart.

Home and Away airs weeknights at 7pm on Channel Seven and 7Plus.