Nearly 70 People Fall Through Floor at Wedding Venue

A dreamy wedding celebration in New Hampshire turned into pure chaos Saturday when a packed dance floor suddenly gave way — sending dozens of guests crashing into a basement below in a terrifying scene.

The shocking collapse happened around 4:30 p.m. at The Preserve at Chocorua in Tamworth, where more than 100 people were reportedly gathered inside the venue’s Sap House when the floor suddenly caved in.

According to officials, nearly 70 guests plunged through a massive 20-by-20-foot hole as the floor collapsed beneath them — with some trapped under wooden beams and even farming equipment stored below.

“It was total panic,” one responder described, as guests scrambled to help the injured before emergency crews arrived.

First responders rushed to the scene, but by the time they got there, wedding guests and staff had already jumped into action — administering first aid and using ladders to pull people out of the wreckage.

Despite the sheer scale of the collapse, officials say the outcome could have been far worse.

“We’re very fortunate that more people didn’t get seriously injured out here tonight,” New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said, praising the quick-thinking guests who helped prevent an even greater tragedy.

In total, six adults were taken to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Four have already been released, though authorities say the full extent of injuries is still being assessed.

Investigators now believe the building may have been over capacity at the time of the collapse. Early findings reveal a staggering 144 people were inside the structure when the floor gave way — raising serious questions about safety and oversight at the historic venue.

The Preserve at Chocorua, which dates back centuries and markets itself as a scenic 26-acre retreat, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, officials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office have launched a full investigation into what caused the structural failure — and whether the disaster could have been prevented.

What was supposed to be the happiest day of someone’s life ended in sirens, splintered wood, and shock — leaving dozens injured and a community shaken.