Viewers expected tears of joy, but instead they’ll be left in shock. In one of the most devastating twists in Summer Bay history, Cash Newman’s life comes to a tragic end just moments after marrying Eden Fowler.

Fans had been preparing themselves for heartbreak in the latest Home and Away wedding storyline, but few could have predicted just how brutal the finale would be. In an explosive turn, Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) is fatally struck by a car in the immediate aftermath of his wedding to Eden (Stephanie Panozzo), leaving the bride a widow within hours of saying “I do.”

The lead-up to the ceremony had been a classic soap mixture of joy and tension. Eden wrestled with whether to invite her estranged father, Jimmy, while her younger sister Abigail was chosen as maid-of-honour. Cash, meanwhile, looked forward to a future defined by love and stability after years of turmoil. Despite last-minute stresses — including a sudden change of date and doubts over who would officiate the wedding — the couple finally exchanged vows in front of their friends and family.

The ceremony itself was a rare moment of peace for Summer Bay. Vows were spoken, tears were shed, and Cash’s foster father delivered a heartfelt speech that underlined just how far Cash had come. For Eden, who once lost her memory and forgot her feelings for the man she loved, it felt like a long-overdue victory for the heart.

But as soap fans know, happiness in Home and Away is always fragile. In the shocking finale sequence, a speeding car tore through the celebrations, striking Cash before horrified onlookers. Promos had long teased that “a speeding car would destroy everything,” with speculation rife about which character would pay the price. Many assumed it might be Theo, whose recent storylines made him a likely candidate for tragedy. Instead, the twist landed like a hammer blow: it was Cash.

The aftermath promises to reverberate throughout Summer Bay. Eden’s grief will be front and centre, with the character left to process the unthinkable — losing her husband just hours into their marriage. The rawness of her loss, after such a long and complicated journey to the altar, is certain to become one of the show’s most emotional arcs of the year.

For the wider community, the question of who was behind the wheel will ignite a storyline of suspicion, guilt, and potential revenge. Was it a tragic accident, or a deliberate act tied to one of Cash’s old enemies? As a policeman, Cash made his fair share of adversaries, and fans will no doubt speculate about whether this was fate or foul play.

The shock death also creates ripple effects in terms of relationships. Eden’s family, already fractured, may collapse entirely under the weight of the tragedy. The Bay’s residents will rally to support her, but some friendships could be tested as blame and suspicion swirl.

Above all, the decision to kill off Cash marks one of the boldest moves the soap has made in years. By cutting short a love story that had just reached its climax, Home and Away is reminding viewers that nothing is guaranteed in Summer Bay — not even a happy ending.

As the credits roll on this shocking finale, fans will be left with a single haunting question: how will Eden survive a future she never wanted, without the man she fought so hard to love?