Lake Winnepesaukah employees should have told investigators about a previous injury that occurred on a ride at the park on May 27, according to Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
Glenn Allen, a spokesman for the agency, said a woman broke her foot on the Boat Chute, a water ride. But Allen said investigators only learned about the incident when a reporter with a media outlet asked them about it Tuesday. (Allen could not remember which specific outlet contacted them. It was not the Times Free Press.)
Allen said investigators then asked Lake Winnepesaukah officials, who confirmed that a woman got injured on the ride on that day. Investigators then cited the park for failing to report the injury in a timely manner.
"We would like notification the same day of the incident," Allen said.
The agency fined the park $500 and also cited them for failing to report that a woman fell from the Wild Lightnin' roller coaster until Monday, a day after the fall.
Investigators are still looking into that case, Allen said, and the roller coaster remains closed. They have contacted the woman, who underwent surgery Tuesday, but have not interviewed her yet. She has hired an attorney.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals who may have been injured," Lake Winnepesaukah spokeswoman Talley Green said in a statement. "We take these matters very seriously and are fully cooperating with the State of Georgia as they investigate these occurrences. The safety of the families who come to Lake Winnie is our top priority."