Wedding Venue Floor Collapse Injures Multiple Guests in Fresh Hampshire
TAMWORTH, N.H. — A wedding celebration at The Preserve at Chocorua, also known as The Sap House, in Tamworth, New Hampshire, took a frightening turn Saturday evening when the floor collapsed during the ceremony, sending approximately 70 people falling into the basement. Six people were hospitalized, though officials say injuries are not life-threatening.
What Happened?
The incident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, as the wedding ceremony was beginning. According to New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, approximately 144 people were inside the venue’s Sap House building when the floor gave way, resulting in an estimated eight-foot fall. WHDH and MSN reported on the incident.
Injuries and Response
Six individuals were transported to area hospitals. One guest was airlifted to Maine Medical Center with lower body injuries. A spokesperson for Maine Health confirmed they received three patients by ambulance, with others taken to different facilities. As of 10 p.m. Saturday, only two people remained hospitalized. First responders reported that venue staff and guests had already begun providing first aid and using ladders to assist those who had fallen before their arrival.
Investigation Underway
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal, in a joint investigation with the Tamworth Fire/Rescue Chief Richard Colcord, is investigating the cause of the collapse. INFONH reports that initial assessments suggest the building may have been overcrowded. “We’ll look at fire code and building code and evaluate that as part of our investigation,” stated Fire Marshal Toomey.
Previous Incident at the Venue
This is not the first incident at The Preserve at Chocorua. In 2017, a fire destroyed a historic barn on the property, as previously covered by News 9.
Road Closure and Current Status
Philbrick Neighborhood Road was temporarily closed following the incident but reopened as of 8 p.m. Saturday night. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they develop into available.