Summer Bay rallies together as the desperate search for Kim, Martha, Robbie, Belle and Kit begins after the chopper crash. Tasha’s grief takes its toll as she goes into premature labour.
Extended Summary
Everyone is shocked to the core at the news of the chopper crash. All demand answers from Rachel, but she has none to give. She is calm and in control throughout as Alf gets everyone settled and makes some calls. Rachel moves out too, struggling to keep it together. Cassie preparing to visit Macca in hospital, Sally tries to find out how she feels towards him now, worried she’ll go back to him, but Cassie assures Sal that’s not the case. Cass crosses with Ric on her way out – it’s a bit weird between them since Ric declared his feelings for her. Ric feels bad that it’s come to this… Sally chats away to him about general stuff, but he’s not listening – distracted with thoughts of Cassie. He asks Cass straight out if she feels the same way – she hesitates, torn, but her mind is on Macca and she doesn’t need this pressure right now.
Jack is reeling from the crash news – how could this happen after the fire? The others do their best to comfort him, they’ll probably all be fine. His anger at Zoe boils over – it’s all because of her! Alf reports that search choppers are out there looking now and foot searches will commence at first light tomorrow. They’ll just have to sit tight. Matilda emerges from her room down the corridor. Her scar is visible as she walks, other patients see it and whisper and point – she reacts self consciously and then overhears Beth pleading with a plastic surgeon to fix her scar ‘she used to be so beautiful!’. Hearing this, Mattie runs away, Beth realises she’s over heard her and chases her daughter. Beth gently wakes Matilda from her dream; Mattie’s shaken but won’t talk about it. Beth tentatively suggests she speak with someone about what happened, but she’s not interested. Tony enters, his grave expression worrying all – It’s Kit and Robbie – they were in the chopper crash.
The main group fret about the crash as Mattie, Beth and Tony join them. Beth remains positive – it’s a rescue mission at this stage. Sally, Ric and Cassie arrive, joining the fear. Cass wonders where Macca is? She moves off to find him as Sally asks Alf how Rachel is holding up. Rachel is trying to keep busy when Sal finds her. She assures Sal she’s coping, but it’s obvious she isn’t. Sal tries to coax Rachel into joining the others, but she likes to keep busy, so Sal moves on. Cassie sits with Macca, they listen to the radio for reports, then a statement comes on with a recording from the chopper – it’s a mayday call from the pilot as the screams and shouts fill the b/g. The pilot screams ‘we’re going to crash’. How could they have survived that? Alf is furious that was played on air – how insensitive. They are all less positive now than before. Irene tries to get everyone back to their rooms for rest, getting worked up isn’t going to help any of them as Alf is on the phone ripping into the radio station. They hang up on him! He then notices that Rachel is barely responding to all that’s going on – she believes there is no point denying what happened. They need to face facts – they’re all dead. Tasha and Irene over hear this, Rachel tries to explain herself, but Tasha runs off, distressed, leaving Rachel feeling terrible. Irene tries to comfort Tasha as she breaks down in her arms, rubbing her pregnant belly – what will I do without Robbie?
Beth leads Mattie back to her room as Alf carries on about Rachel’s comment – she had no flamin’ right! She reminds him that Rachel is dealing with the death of her mother and now Kim missing – it’s her way of dealing with it. Cassie offers Ric support – but he’s annoyed she’s been so wrapped up in Macca. As the family head out they are bombarded by a media reporter wanting statements on the ‘tragedy’ – the reporter is assuming that the crash victims are all dead! Alf steps in and rips into him and smashes the Dictaphone to the ground! Sally and Ric hold Alf back! Back at home, Sal urges Alf to calm down, but it doesn’t help, Ric stays with him as the others head to bed – Alf is really tense about it all…
Jack is blaming himself for Martha being in the chopper – he encouraged it! Tony and Lucas do their best to support him, but he can’t help but think that the wedding day was cursed. Jack asks them to leave – he wants to be alone. The reluctantly head off. That night: A bereft Macca, sits alone staring into space as Rachel leans against the corridor for support outside, she can’t take anymore. Matilda sleeps next to Beth, – Tony and Lucas come in to offer their support. Alf stares at the phone, waiting for it to ring as Ric stays with his grandfather, feeling his pain. Tasha is alone in her hospital bed, clutching her belly, tears streaming down her face, thinking of life without Robbie.
The next morning, Tasha is struck with a pain from her belly! Irene calls for help – the nurse thinks she’s going into premature labour!