JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. -- A threatening note prompted the closure of the England-themed section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg for about three hours Sunday afternoon.
James City Assistant Fire Chief Bob Ryalls told CBS 6 someone found a bomb threat note inside a bathroom near the park's main gate near the England-themed section of the park just after 3 p.m.
As a result, no one was allowed in or out of that part of the park as officials performed a sweep.
"Guests and employees were escorted out of the England village and the park entrance was closed for approximately 10 minutes. Nothing was found, and the park reopened. Guests entering or leaving the park are being escorted to an alternate park entrance," Busch Gardens' Kevin Crossett said in a statement.
Crossett said that the England village reopened just before 6 p.m.
Police and fire crews are investigating the incident.
News of the lockdown spread rapidly on social media.
Rachael Meagher Morse, posted on the CBS 6 Facebook page around 4:30 p.m. that there was a "massive evacuation" at the park.
"At Busch Gardens and we are on some kind of lock down. They will not let any more people in and have main entrance closed," Linda Carter told CBS 6.
The 383-acre theme park, which was originally created by Anheuser-Busch near the company's brewery and is now owned by SeaWorld Entertainment, closes at 9 p.m. on Sundays.
