CARLSBAD (CBS 8) – An unattended backpack left at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad prompted evacuations Monday night.
Carlsbad police say a suspicious backpack left on the curb forced officers to evacuate the terminal and restaurant just before 7 p.m. Monday in Carlsbad.
“We removed people from the danger area,” said Carlsbad police Lt. Jeff Chapman.
While investigators were on scene, at home in Cardiff, Kim Rosner was looking for her carry-on bag.
“I have my make-up, my knitting needles and my camera which is what prompted us to go and look,” said Rosner.
She says she just flew home from Europe and when she went back to the airport she saw the commotion, “Accidents happen, really felt horrible that it happened."
The San Diego County Sheriff's Bomb/Arson squad responded but the passenger who owned the backpack showed up before they could investigate the bag. She says investigators told her surveillance video didn't show who left the bag.
“Lots of questions of what I did, where I was, what happened, what was in it. I was able to describe everything in it,” said Rosner.
She says although this was a mistake, she is relieved for the quick response.
“They weren't letting things slide and they basically were trying to be diligent in keeping us safe and they were just concerned about an unattended bag,” said Rosner.
Flights were not affected, and the evacuations were lifted about an hour later.
