Moments before a bomb squad was going to blow up a suspicious bag left at the McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, a woman came back to claim it.
The airport’s terminal and restaurant were evacuated at about 6:15 p.m. Monday when crews discovered a suspicious green REI backpack on the premises.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s bomb squad soon arrived on scene to evaluate if the bag was a threat.
Just before the squad detonated the backpack, a woman walked up to it, according to Carlsbad Police. When officials asked what she was doing, she explained that she was the owner and had left it behind by mistake.
Kim Rosner said she had just completed a trip from Europe and was waiting for her son to come pick her up with all her bags.
"Basically, tired, traveling, jet-lagged, whatever, thought I had all my bags in the car," she said.
Rosner didn't realize her backpack was missing until at home, she began searching for her camera, which was in the bag.
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When no one at the airport answered the phone, she decided to return to the McClellan-Palomar Airport.
"Accidents, totally. Felt awful, but thankfully it was nothing to be concerned about," said Rosner.
Officials told her the video surveillance at the airport was down, so they were not able to track who left the bag behind or why.
No charges will be filed against Rosner. The evacuation order was lifted after 8 p.m.
No flights were impacted during the evacuation, police say.
The airport, situated off Palomar Airport Road east of Interstate 5, is home to about 283 aircraft, according to its website. In 2013, Palomar handled 160,290 takeoffs and landings.
