Man rescued after climbing Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

An 18-year-old man was rescued after climbing about 100 feet up the Tempesto roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and becoming stranded on a catwalk, James City County officials said. The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, and the James City County Fire Department brought the man safely back to the ground before James City Police arrested him on a trespassing charge, officials said.

County spokespeople said the man climbed the high-speed launch coaster to retrieve a lost phone and became stuck on the structure's catwalk. Tempesto rises to approximately 154 feet and reaches high speeds, according to park information. Fire crews assisted in getting him down without reported injury, and police subsequently took the individual into custody and charged him with trespassing.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg advises visitors not to use phones or other devices while on rides and asks guests to avoid restricted areas, the park's website states. The park requires that loose items be secured in a sealed pocket, stored in a locker, left with a nonrider, or carried in a permitted waist pack, with certain exclusions for specific rides including Tempesto and the Pantheon...