Suspicious Suit case causes problems at hospital

At around 5 pm yesterday evening, Sunday 20th January 2008, a large suitcase was found abandoned in the Ambulance bay of the Maternity wing of the Buller Hospital at Westport. 

As a precaution the wing, occupied by a mother and her new born baby as well as hospital personal, was closed and they were moved into another part of the hospital. 

The Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade were called and stood by while Police investigated. 

The suitcase was eventually identified as possibly belonging to a student who had been dismissed from the Westport Fishing School. 

Police made an assessment of the situation and decided to move the case from the immediate vicinity of the building. 

The unlocked case was carefully inspected and was found to contain clothing. 

The Maternity wing was reopened at 5.50 pm. 

The owner of the case had decided it was a safe place to leave it there while he spent time around the town.
His thoughtlessness caused considerable disruption and inconvenience to a number of people.