Forgotten bag closes airport

Dunedin airport was shut down for five hours yesterday over a forgotten backpack, with dozens of police, fire and ambulance staff on standby waiting for an explosives team from Christchurch.

The terminal was evacuated from 5.50pm after a black backpack was found at the bottom of a staircase, said Senior Sergeant Alistair Dickie.

Nobody claimed the backpack despite repeated loudspeaker announcements, and the Christchurch team was called in.

They were about 40 minutes from Dunedin when a Dunedin student who had arrived on a 4.30pm flight contacted police to say he thought the backpack might be his.

The "very embarrassed" student was sent on his way with his backpack, which held a laptop computer.

Airport manager John McCall urged passengers to be more vigilant with their belongings.

- NZPA