JAMES CITY — A teenager apparently trying to recover his cellphone climbed a roller coaster at Busch Gardens on Sunday.
Emergency crews were called to the amusement park about 9:30 p.m. for reports of someone who had climbed about 100 feet up the Tempesto coaster and gotten stuck on a catwalk. Charles Parker, 18, of Woodbridge, told authorities he had been trying to get his phone back, according to James City County police spokeswoman Patty Schlosser.
The James City County Fire Department responded and helped Parker get down using a harness and rope. At one point, police used a drone to assess the situation. The blue-and-orange roller coaster, located in the park’s Italy area, is about 156 feet tall at its highest.
Signs at the entrances of roller coasters warn riders against bringing personal items such as cellphones, keys and wallets on rides. Riders should secure items “in a sealed pocket, waist pack (excluding Pantheon and Tempesto), left in a locker or with a non-rider,” according to the park’s website. Busch Gardens’ policy states it is not responsible for lost or damaged articles.
Parker was not injured. He was, however, charged with trespassing by county police.
He did not get his phone back, Schlosser said.
Busch Gardens could not be reached for comment Monday.
James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com
Originally Published: October 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM EDT
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