State investigators fined Lake Winnepesaukah $1,000 after park employees explained Wednesday that a third person had been injured on one of their rides.
Glenn Allen, spokesman for Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, said a woman received head and arm injuries while on the Wild Lightnin' roller coaster on May 27. This is the second fine the state has assessed to the park this week; it also fined Lake Winnepesaukah $500 after a media outlet reported that a woman broke her foot on the Boat Chute water ride.
Both fines are for failing to report incidents to the state in a timely manner, Allen said. An investigator has been looking into rides at Lake Winnepesaukah this week after a woman fell from the Wild Lightnin' ride Sunday afternoon.
Allen said the woman underwent surgery after the fall. The state's investigator has since received a statement from her attorney.
The investigator is now trying to get in touch with the woman injured on May 27. The agency also has spoken with a woman injured on the boat chute.
Allen declined to give information about the specifics of the incidents, saying the cases are still under investigation.
He said incidents with injuries are not uncommon at theme parks across the state, but park employees need to report the injuries to his office as soon as possible.
"Is it surprising that there are multiple incidents? No," Allen said. "Is it unusual for there to be multiple incidents? No. Is it a concern that there was this delay in reporting the incidents? Yes."
Lake Winnepesaukah spokeswoman Talley Green did not return a call seeking comment Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday, after the second incident with an injury was revealed, she said in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals who may have been injured. 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. We have always worked very hard to ensure that our rides and attractions are properly maintained and inspected, and this has led to an excellent safety record at our park."