Floor Collapses at New Hampshire Wedding Venue

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Six people were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries after a floor collapsed at a wedding venue in Tamworth, New Hampshire, around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The collapse happened while a wedding party of about 140 people were present at the Preserve at Chocorua venue.

Why it matters

Floor collapses at crowded venues can lead to serious injuries and raise questions about building safety and capacity limits. This incident highlights the need for proper safety protocols and inspections at event spaces to prevent such accidents.

The details

The floor buckled, creating a 20-foot by 20-foot opening and sending about 70 people into the basement. Several people were trapped by the fallen beams and by farm equipment that had been stored on the lower floor. Before first responders arrived, other guests and staff helped some of the people who had fallen climb out of the basement with the aid of ladders, and were rendering first aid to people with minor injuries.

• The floor collapse happened around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
• First responders arrived on the scene shortly after 911 calls came in.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Investigators from the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office and the Tamworth Fire/Rescue Department are continuing to investigate the cause of the floor collapse and determine if the venue was over capacity at the time of the incident.