Summer Bay is waking up to yet another wave of heartbreak as new behind-the-scenes information reveals that Home and Away is preparing to launch one of its most emotionally devastating storylines of 2026. While viewers are still reeling from the catastrophic tunnel derailment that left multiple residents fighting for their lives, fresh spoilers indicate that Mackenzie Booth may be heading into one of her darkest chapters yet.

A Community Shaken—and One Survivor Still Missing

The “Off the Rails” disaster remains at the centre of the show’s upcoming return, with several core characters—including Mackenzie, Lacy, Remy, Justin, Dana, and Eddie—pulled unconscious from the twisted wreckage. But while early production leaks suggested all major cast members were back on set, a shocking absence has ignited a frenzy of speculation.

According to updated filming reports, actress Emily Weir (Mackenzie) has been working fewer days on location and is rumoured to be part of a storyline that will see her character face a serious medical diagnosis in the months following the crash. Sources from the article’s prompt claim Mackenzie will survive the wreck—but will soon receive news that “changes everything” for her and those closest to her.

A Silent Illness and a Fractured Heart

The storyline in question revolves around Mackenzie’s deteriorating health—something the writers have allegedly been setting up for several months. Viewers may recall numerous scenes in the lead-up to the finale in which Mackenzie appeared fatigued, overwhelmed, or struggling to hide physical discomfort. These moments were subtle enough to be overlooked, but in hindsight, insiders say they were deliberate breadcrumbs.

What makes this twist even more tragic is Mackenzie’s already fragile emotional state. Having endured relationship breakdowns, financial collapse, the loss of loved ones, and repeated brushes with danger, she enters the new season “emotionally stretched thin” even before the tunnel crash threatens her life.

The reveal of her condition—rumoured to be connected to long-term stress and untreated injuries—will reportedly shape her major storyline for most of 2026. The show’s producers are said to be working closely with medical consultants to ensure authenticity, signalling that this arc will not be a brief or easily resolved one.

Fear of a Devastating Goodbye

With fans already bracing for a confirmed fatality from the derailment, many are now deeply concerned this new storyline may mark the beginning of Mackenzie’s exit. While there is no confirmed indication that the beloved character is set to be killed off, the slow-burn nature of the arc and Emily Weir’s reduced filming schedule have raised alarms in the fandom.

Social media has erupted with speculation, with some fans fearing a long-term illness could mean Mackenzie becomes the show’s next emotional farewell—while others believe the writers are preparing a redemption and healing arc that will push her toward a fresh start.

A Bay Already on Edge

The timing of Mackenzie’s storyline only heightens the tension in Summer Bay. With Remy facing a secret medical crisis of his own, Sunny’s recovery uncertain, Cash and Rose investigating possible sabotage, and at least one character confirmed dead, the emotional stakes of the 2026 premiere are already unprecedented.

If Mackenzie’s diagnosis is severe, it threatens to shatter the fragile sense of hope emerging from the disaster—and reshape her relationships with Xander, Levi, and the Parata family in profound ways.

A Year of Hard Choices Ahead

As Home and Away prepares its return, all signs point to 2026 being a year defined by survival, grief, and the relentless struggle to rebuild. And for Mackenzie Booth, that fight may be only just beginning.