The "Tailenders" or "Tailies" (as they are referred to by the series writers) are those survivors who sat in the rear section of Oceanic Flight 815. They initially include 22 people, plus one spy for the Others, Goodwin, who claims to be a Peace Corps volunteer. Their first night on the island, three of the tailenders are taken by the Others. Four others later die of injury. Two weeks after the crash, nine more are kidnapped. Ana-Lucia takes the lead to organize the survivors and keep them safe.
Nathan, initially suspected as being the spy, is thrown into a makeshift pit by Ana-Lucia, and starved. He is later freed by Goodwin, who immediately breaks his neck. Shortly afterwards, Ana-Lucia realizes her mistake and confronts Goodwin, killing him in the struggle that follows.
After the boat that Sawyer, Michael and Jin are on is destroyed, the Tailies capture the survivors when the three wash up on the shore. They bring the captives to a Dharma station, the Arrow, which they had previously discovered abandoned.
When the existence of the main survivor's group is revealed, the Tailies decide to trek across the island, staying close to the shoreline, carrying a wounded Sawyer back for care. Shortly before arriving at the main camp, Cindy disappears, and in the confusion Ana-Lucia accidently shoots and kills Shannon.
In the end, when the Tail-end and the Fuselage survivors re-unite, there are only four remaining Tailenders: Ana Lucia, Mr. Eko, Libby, and Bernard.
Survivors
These named Tailenders survived the crash:
- Ana-Lucia Cortez - shot by Michael.
- Mr. Eko
- Bernard
- Libby - shot by Michael.
- Cindy Chandler - disappeared, presumably taken by the Others.
- Nathan - killed by Goodwin.
- Emma - child, taken by the Others.
- Zack - child, taken by the Others.
- Nancy - taken by the Others.
- Eli - taken by the Others.
- Jim - taken by the Others.
- Donald - dies of a leg infection.
Three additional unnamed survivors die as a result of injuries received in the crash. Seven additional unnamed survivors are taken by the Others including a blond guy, a curly-haired guy, and a German, who is helping with the injured.
Survivor count
Here is a list of all Tailenders and what happened to them.
- 22 - Originally survived the crash (Day 1)
- 19 - 3 unnamed tailies die (Day 1)
- 16 - Curly-haired Tailender, Blond Tailender and German Tailender are taken by the Others (Day 1)
- 15 - Donald dies of leg infection (Day 4)
- 6 - Emma, Zack, Nancy, Jim, Eli and 4 unnamed tailies are taken by the Others (Day 12)
- 5 - Nathan is killed by Goodwin.
- 4 - Cindy Chandler disappears, possibly taken by the Others (Day 48)
- 3 - Ana-Lucia Cortez is killed by Michael Dawson
- 2 - Libby is shot by Michael Dawson and later died from her wounds.