A terrifying structural failure at a wedding venue in New Hampshire left six people injured and approximately seventy guests trapped after a floor suddenly gave way during celebrations on Saturday. The incident occurred at The Preserve at Chocorua in the town of Tamworth, where around 140 attendees were gathered for a joyous occasion that turned to chaos in an instant.
Chaos at The Preserve at Chocorua
According to official reports, the floor collapse happened at approximately 4:30 PM at a building known as the Sap House within the venue complex. The wooden floorboards buckled and opened a substantial twenty-by-twenty-foot hole, sending about seventy wedding guests plummeting eight feet down into the basement below. Miraculously, no fatalities were reported from the dramatic incident.
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
First responders arriving at the scene discovered that venue staff and wedding guests had already initiated rescue operations before professional help arrived. Using ladders, they provided initial first aid to injured individuals and helped those who had fallen through the collapsed floor climb out of the basement area.
Firefighters then assisted additional guests and began conducting on-scene medical evaluations of those reporting injuries. Four attendees were transported to MaineHealth Memorial Hospital for treatment, but officials confirmed all have since been released, indicating no life-threatening injuries resulted from the collapse.
Visual Evidence of the Collapse
Photographs released by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's office reveal the extent of the damage. One image shows a gleaming chandelier and decorative white bunting hanging precariously above buckled floorboards, while stacked benches used for seating remained perched above the jagged, rustic collapse.
Another photograph displays firefighters clustered around the barn-like Sap House building, tending to frightened guests in the aftermath. A third image provides a view of the basement area where guests fell, showing exposed beams and damaged flooring that created a dangerous environment for those trapped below.
Investigation and Contributing Factors
Investigators examining the collapse have indicated the building was likely over capacity at the time of the incident, potentially contributing to the structural failure. The basement area contained additional hazards, with multiple people trapped not only by fallen beams but also by farm equipment that had been stored on the lower floor.
The investigation remains ongoing, with officials stating no additional details are currently available. When contacted for comment by media outlets, the Fire Marshal's office responded with their official news release about the incident.
About the Venue and Location
The Preserve at Chocorua is a twenty-six acre estate located in New Hampshire's scenic White Mountains region. According to its website, the venue hosts a variety of events including weddings, family reunions, and corporate retreats at its Philbrick Neighborhood Road location.
Tamworth, the town where the incident occurred, has a population of approximately 2,800 residents and is situated about 115 miles north of Concord, New Hampshire, near the western border of Maine. The rural community now finds itself at the center of a significant structural safety investigation following Saturday's alarming events.
