News Summary
An 18-year-old man in Williamsburg was charged with trespassing after attempting to retrieve his lost cell phone from the Tempesto roller coaster at Busch Gardens. Despite climbing 100 feet high and becoming stranded, emergency responders successfully rescued him without any injuries. The incident underscores the risks of trying to recover lost items from amusement rides, especially high ones, and serves as a reminder to keep personal belongings secure while enjoying park attractions.
Williamsburg, Virginia – An 18-year-old man named Charles Parker has been charged with trespassing after climbing the Tempesto roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg to retrieve his lost cell phone. The incident occurred on a Sunday evening around 9:30 p.m., prompting a response from both the James City County Fire Department and Police Department.
Parker climbed approximately 100 feet high on the roller coaster, which is known for its height of 156 feet at its peak, before becoming stranded on a catwalk. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, utilizing a police drone to assess the situation before a team of firefighters helped Parker down safely with a harness and rope. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Despite Parker’s efforts, he did not recover his phone after being rescued. The park’s policies clearly state that guests should refrain from bringing personal items such as phones and keys onto the rides, and they are not responsible for lost or damaged belongings. Signs indicating these rules are present at the entrances to the roller coaster.
The Tempesto roller coaster opened in 2019 and has become a popular attraction at the park. Busch Gardens typically remains open during such incidents, and this particular event unfolded without complications apart from the trespassing charge. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and Busch Gardens has not provided comment regarding the incident.
This incident highlights the risks associated with attempting to recover lost items at amusement parks, particularly at towering attractions like roller coasters. The retrieval of personal possessions, while seemingly harmless, can lead to dangerous situations that not only jeopardize the safety of the individual involved but also put first responders at risk.
Emergency responders encourage individuals to keep their belongings secured while enjoying rides to prevent such dangerous actions in the future. Their prompt actions in this situation ensured that the 18-year-old was brought back down safely without injury.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Man Charged After Climbing Roller Coaster for Cell Phone
Teen Charged After Climbing Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens
Man Charged After Climbing Tempesto Roller Coaster
Teen Charged for Climbing Busch Gardens Roller Coaster
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Unveils Howl-O-Scream 2025
Tra’Von Johnson Recaptured After Second Jail Escape
Additional Resources
- Daily Press: 18-Year-Old Rescued After Climbing Busch Gardens Tempesto
- Wikipedia: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- WTVR: Busch Gardens Rescue
- Google Search: Tempesto roller coaster
- WYDaily: Busch Gardens Announces New Coaster
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amusement Park
- Patch: Woodbridge Man Climbs Roller Coaster
- Google News: Roller Coaster Accidents
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
